To capture the changes in the market structure of Japanese fresh vegetables, it is necessary to assume the oligopolistic condition. This study proposes the quantitative analysis framework of wholesale markets in the pricing of Japanese fresh vegetables. First, we estimate the degree of market power between producers and retailers based on a bilateral oligopoly model. Second, we evaluate the role of wholesale markets and the effect on the economic welfare. The results show that if the ratio of products via wholesale markets decreases in volume, the ratio of wholesale price to retail price decreases. W-holesale markets can benefit both producers and consumers through a reduction of retail margins.

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The increasing number of outbreaks of infectious diseases on dairy farms has become a serious problem in recent years. When such a case happens, each farm has to take various measures under administrative guidance. However, usually this guidance is implemented at the postvention, not prevention, stage. The main aim of this study is to identify key points and challenges using the example of Shibecha Town's efforts to ensure adequate safeguards against infectious diseases in dairy cattle.
First, a Shibecha domestic animal infectious disease quarantine committee was formed with members from all sides: town officials, co-operative officials, extension officials, veterinarians from the mutual aid association, livestock hygiene centre, DHI association officials, and dairy plants officials. They plan and provide a precise vaccination programme as well as preventative testing for specific infectious diseases in the bulk milk tank. Second, the committee focused on how to improve the quality of liquid feeds such as colostrum, non-saleable milk and fermented colostrum through pasteurisation to inactivate viruses and pathogens.
The distinctive features of Shibecha's initiatives are reflected in having the highest number of cattle vaccinated and lowest mortality rates in the region. To consolidate this progress, human resource development for both committee and farmers is needed. Also more sharing of information, leading to a closer relationship between the committee and farmers.

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The change in demand of fresh fruits was analyzed by the Survey of Vegetables and Fruits, and the Family Income and Expenditure Survey. The demand of fresh fruits could be divided into three periods which divided by the collapse of bubble economy and the 2008 financial crisis. In the first and third period, there was negative correlation between the wholesale quantity and price, while it couldn't be found in the second period. Though the consumption of fruit is thought to increase by aging, the quantity of fresh fruit purchase of young family was decreasing by year in the first period. Though the increase in quantity in fresh fruit purchase by year was recovered in the second period, the quantity in fresh fruit purchase of total family was still decreasing because of large quantity gap of fresh fruit purchase between the generation.

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The purpose of this study is to consider shipping of fruit and vegetables outside the prefecture by wholesale market wholesalers in Nagano Prefecture, a horticulture production area. Specific factors considered were: 1) the reasons for, and circumstances surrounding, selling outside the prefecture by wholesalers; 2) the effects of this initiative; and 3) the significance of this initiative in fruit and vegetables distribution. The findings showed that a reason for selling outside the prefecture is that contraction of wholesalers' sales channels occurred because of expansion into Nagano Prefecture by a volume retailer from outside the prefecture. Simultaneously, changes in the selling strategies of agricultural cooperatives within the prefecture promoted selling outside the prefecture. In addition, selling outside the prefecture by wholesalers filled a gap between supply and demand in the distribution of fruit and vegetables.

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The purpose of this paper is to clarify the essential requirements for the establishment and development of small-scale production areas from case studies in which stakeholders in the food system work together. As a result of the analysis, the following three points were clarified. First, there are benefits for all stakeholders. This is a prerequisite for business collaboration and is important for ensuring sustainability. Next, it is necessary l to bridge the gap between production and consumption. In this case, a food wholesaler plays that role, taking risks against the backdrop of its merits. And a mechanism to get information about the target is needed. In this case, there is a place for stakeholders to share information together. However, the existence of a professional and neutral coordinator is important for smooth operation.

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This paper examines the marketing channels of new farmers through the cases of two different types of new farmers in Hiroshima City. Main channels are wholesale market shipping (market distribution) and direct sales (off-market distribution). Their actual conditions of shipment and the reasons for selecting channels are discussed.
As a result, the most important factor for new farmers' marketing is to use the stable channel to start with. The stable channel means where they can have less risk for selling their products according to their size of farm, the variety of product or their skill level of production. It can be a wholesale market shipping for new farmers with a certain size of production and also can be a direct market for new farmers whose parents have had enough experiences to do business there already.

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This paper aims at measuring the shipment behavior of farmers' market vendors and comparing the interchange experience to customers with the performance of vendors' shipment. The number of annual shipping items, total annual days of shipment, and annual sales of each vendor distributes vary widely, which indicates the diversity of member vendors' shipping behaviors. Vendors who have an experience of conversation to customers have achieved better performance of shipment to the farmers' market compared to vendors who have no conversation experience. Conversation-experienced vendors also has conducted more various activities which contribute to improve their shipment performance.

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We clarified the consciousness and behavior on urban-rural exchange by analyzing the use of farmers' market M by black soybean farming experience participants. The findings indicate that firstly, approx. 90% of the agricultural experience participants go shopping at the farmers' market, but the frequency and the purchase price per time are both smaller than general users of farmers' market. Secondly, agricultural experience participants' understanding and attachment toward agriculture and rural areas is higher than general users of farmers' market due to the degree of interaction with farmers. Thirdly, 87.3% of the agricultural experience participants continued to desire to participate in the agricultural experience, but the ratio of those who wish to participate in the agricultural experience of general users of farmers' market was low at 11.8%.

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