In recent years, the unresolved problem of account receivable-trade caused by bankruptcies in the food industry has come to the surface. Therefore, importers of frozen vegetables need to consider countermeasures to the problem. This paper analyzes countermeasures regarding the problem of account receivable-trade by importers of frozen vegetables and discusses how the spread of these countermeasures affects buyers. A research survey shows that utilizing the functions of a credit research company, importers of frozen vegetables can assess a company's financial condition in terms of its potential to conduct business transactions with existing or new customers and have introduced various types of transactions in order to adapt to such conditions. On the other hand, a vertical channel structure, which has been developed by food buyers wholesalers, is clearer in terms of the result that these countermeasures bring. The author expects that the gap between well-run and lame-duck companies will expand.

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The objectives of this study are to identify the specific roles and functions of wholesalers who ship vegetables to consumption areas in the development process of vegetable producing areas. This study focuses on a leading vegetable producing area in the Red River Delta, Doan Thuong commune, Hai Duong province, Vietnam. First, regarding the transition process from self-sufficiency to market oriented, traditional agricultural cooperatives played an important role in changing the structure of production, spreading the production area and creating the small traders who carry out the local vegetable trade. Second, regarding wholesaler contributions to growth of production area by expanding marketing network and being secure of market, most of them are engaging in both vegetable marketing and farming, so it regarded as marketing activities from farmer side. Third, all stakeholders concerned with vegetable marketing in the Doan Thuong commune are administratively independent.

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While many farmers expect that more and more consumers prefer 'local' agricultural products, it is not clear how many consumers actually choose such 'local' goods. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to analyze what makes consumers choose to buy their 'local' agricultural products and what types of consumers choose the 'local' ones. In doing so, this paper clusters and quantifies such respective consumers types. Two data sets on consumer behaviors from social surveys conducted in Fukushima prefecture were used to estimate a multinomial logit model, a structural equation modeling and a cluster analysis. The result shows that the ratio of the consumers appreciating their 'local' products as premium and purchasing it for higher price is only 23 percent. Thus the differentiation of the consumer types is effective, although it might be necessary to consider the small size of the consumer types on local products for local consumption.

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This paper explores the production and marketing of cocoa beans in Indonesia after a period of economic crisis. It was found that after thecrisis occurred, the local prices of cocoa beans rise and the marketing channel in the study area changed. The export trader became a new player in the study area, creating intense competition in the area between the local trader and wholesale trader. In order to increase sale prices and the quality of cocoa beans, establishing a public market in each cocoa bean producing center to ensure fair sale prices between the farmers and each trader is recommended.

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This paper examines the prospects and the problems of exporting Japanese farm products to China by considering Chinese consumer attitudes to Japanese apples in Qingdao city. In China, some well-to-do consumers buy Japanese apples around the time called "Memorial Day." The prices are more than 10 times that of the apples they usually buy. Of importance is not only the elegant appearance of the apples but also the taste. Safety is also of concern to consumers. This is indicative of the fact that differentiation in product is sought after. This differentiation is also a key notion in the Japanese market. In this sense, the potential in the Chinese market can be seen in the extension of the differentiation strategy developed for the Japanese market.

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This research analyzes the function of voluntary chain headquarters in the lunch service industry through a fact-finding survey of one company treated as a case study. The company is one of the biggest companies operating as a voluntary chain of lunch service. The remarkable points regarding the function of a voluntary chain headquarter are the creation of the menu and the compartmentalization of the market. These functions play an important role in the survival of small and medium-sized affiliated enterprises while the market of fast-food chain industries has already reached in period of maturity and increased competition. Therefore there is a certain degree of merit when small and medium-sized lunch service enterprise characterized by financial difficulty become a member of a voluntary chain. On the other hand, enforcement by the headquarters is not so strong such that cost-reduction by bulk buying, which is a strength of regular chain or franchise chain, can not be achieved. In order for voluntary chain to exist as a survival tactic of medium-sized enterprises and form a robust organization, it is imperative that this problem is solved.

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This paper clarifies determinants of household food security in East Timor and Bangladesh during the monsoon season. The results are based on individual data from the household survey conducted by the World Bank in East Timor in 2001 and the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) in Bangladesh in 2000. The results revealed that the higher the economic shock levels a household had, the more the household is likely to experience worsened food security during the monsoon season. In addition, it was found that the higher level of the household head's education, the more the number of non-farm sector workers and the more social capital a household had, the higher level of food security during the monsoon season.

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Practices of rural accommodations in ski resort areas are one form of rural tourism in Japan. It is considered that various practices coexist in such areas because of the diversity of accommodation management and needs. This paper reveals the condition and viewpoints about the coexistence of such types of rural tourism through a case study of the Hanasaku district, Katashina village, Gunma prefecture. Two practices exist at Hanasaku district: a mediation by Katashina agricultural cooperative and an accommodation practice. The former provides learning experiences on farming and rural activities to schools from metropolitan areas and has been one form of support for the accommodation management since about 20 years ago, providing tourists to many accommodations in the area. The latter is an attraction and service facility for tourists at the active accommodations which reflect facility preferences, meaning there are various services, such as local meals, guided walks and so on. Thus, while the two practices are different in terms of practice agents, positions in accommodation management and needs, they are coexisting in their objective and conclusion. There is a possibility of change in each accommodation with the change of managerial intention and household condition.

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This paper clarifies the present conditions and problems surrounding Japan's roughage import from the United States. The general trading company and agricultural cooperatives that own processing equipment occupy the most hay-cube's market-share. But, hay's market-share decentralizes because small-scale companies enter the business easily. It is difficult to reduce the price by quantity buying because of various demands for hay. However, agricultural cooperatives build supply system from procurement in the United States to sale in Japan, and try to advance price reductions.

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