Overview of Recent Effects of Global Warming on Agricultural Production in Japan

Abstract

To determine the effects of recent warming trends on agricultural production in Japan, in 2003 and 2005, surveys of the public institutes of agricultural research in 47 prefectures were conducted. The results suggest that recent warming trends have already significantly affected nearly all types of crops and livestock in Japan. All 47 prefectures reported warming effects on fruit tree cultivation and over 70% of prefectures recognized the effects on rice, vegetable and flower cultivation. Horticultural crops and rice are likely to be more sensitive to global warming than other agricultural crops and livestock. Our survey elucidated many effects of recent warming, such as phenological changes in many crops, increases in fruit coloring disorders and incidences of chalky rice kernels, reductions in yields of wheat, barley, vegetables, flowers, milk and eggs, and alterations in the type of disease and pest.