Abstract
This article provides an overview of the presentations and discussions held during the Fall seminar titled “Measures in Japanese Food System to Increase the Demand for Organic Food Products to Meet the Increased Supply Induced by the Strategy for Sustainable Food Systems Policy）MIDORI）.” Four presenters shared their insights, current status, and practical approaches toward boosting the demand for organic foods. The discussion underscored the importance of reducing logistics costs and enhancing the availability of domestically grown organic ingredients at competitive prices to align with the government’s goals. The presenters also shared insights on organic food exports, highlighting their potential to bolster the supply of domestically grown organic ingredients if priced competitively. School lunch programs emerged as another avenue for scaling up organic food procurement. Experience from South Korea suggests that such programs can incentivize more farmers to transition to organic farming. Although the entry of large companies into the organic food sector may disrupt existing stakeholders in favor of stronger, economically competitive players, presenters remain optimistic that this shift will ultimately yield more benefits than drawbacks, as it promotes wider recognition of organic foods within the broader food system landscape.
