Food Policy and Operationalisation of the Food Security Principle: Reflection on the Revision of the Basic Law on Food, Agriculture and Rural Areas

Abstract

This paper highlights critical issues in restructuring food policy in Japan under the coming revision of the Food, Agriculture and Rural Areas Basic Act. First, food security needs to be conceptualized from the capability perspective to cover one’s total quality of eating. Second, urban areas (not just rural areas) should play a key role in the territorial anchoring of the food policy. To illustrate this feasibility, insights are extracted from the pilot study on the territorial food projects in Kyoto City. The recent food policy in France is also referenced to highlight challenges in future food policy in Japan in terms of its political coverage and decision-making process.