高齢期における積極的在村離農の可能性―元酪農家のライフストーリーを通して―

抄録

The contribution of Japan’s elderly to the sustainability of their communities has been the focus of much attention to gain a better understanding of their lifestyles. As rural villages become increasingly marginalized, the elderly continue to play a central role in local agriculture. Notably, many who have given up farming continue to live in the area alongside elderly farmers. Therefore, as a case study on the diversity of lifestyles among the elderly in Japanese communities and the foundations that support them, this paper discusses the life story of a former dairy farmer. Specifically, interviews were conducted to illuminate the life story of a man in Monbetsu City, Hokkaido, who quit farming at the age of 60. It was found that this lifestyle represented a positive choice to leave farming without relocating. Moreover, this way of life does not mandate handing down agricultural expertise to succeeding generations. To examine the sustainability of local communities, it is necessary to investigate otherwise hidden daily activities from the perspective of inheriting agriculture and farming knowledge.