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Narayan Prasad Khanal, Keshav Lall Maharjan
2013 Volume 49 Issue 1 Pages
27-31
Published: June 25, 2013
Released on J-STAGE: March 14, 2014
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So Yamaguch, Masaya Nakatsuka
2013 Volume 49 Issue 1 Pages
32-37
Published: June 25, 2013
Released on J-STAGE: March 14, 2014
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With respect to black bean production, this study discusses the relationship between age, mastery, and knowledge acquisition among farmers. A total of 320 questionnaires were collected in Sasayama city, Hyogo prefecture, to explore the degrees of knowledge acquisition and mastery among farmers. The main findings are as follows: (1) Inexperienced farmers are more likely to acquire knowledge from farmers’cooperative community (FCC) or agricultural improvement and growth center (AIGC) activities (e.g., cultivation information, training programs) or from individuals in their own village and family; (2) Middle-class farmers acquire knowledge from FCC or AIGC activities, and from individuals in their own village and family; and (3) Expert farmers acquir e it from FCC or AIGC activities, and from individuals in their own village, family andcity-level agricultural community.
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Yukiko Ando, Yasuo Ohe
2013 Volume 49 Issue 1 Pages
38-41
Published: June 25, 2013
Released on J-STAGE: March 14, 2014
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This study examines the price determination factors of pears by focusing on the managerial factors of pick-your-own pear farms in Matsudo. Since investigations of and research on the determination factors of pear prices on pick-your-own farms have not been adequately performed, we conducted statistical tests and regression analysis that made use of data captured through a questionnaire survey of these farms. The results revealed that the most influential factor on prices was whether or not the farmers advise consumers of their eco-friendly farming practices; this is a marketing factor. Therefore, to ensure the sustainable development of pick-your-own farms, in addition to improving production skills, it will be important for these farms to improve their marketing, especially, the provision of sufficient information to consumers through multiple sales channels.
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Miho Fukui, Yasuo Ohe
2013 Volume 49 Issue 1 Pages
42-46
Published: June 25, 2013
Released on J-STAGE: March 14, 2014
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In this paper, linear spline functions and regression lines were used to analyze the process of tourism recovery in three large earthquake-stricken municipalities: Kobe, an urban city area; the former Kawaguchi, an agricultural area; and Okushiri, a remote area. The data used as explanatory variables are distinguished as social, meteorological, and p ublic policy variables.The results show that remote and/or agricultural regions faced crucial difficulties in undertaking tourism recovery: Kobe was the only case of the three to have experienced a full recovery of its number of tourists, while the other two areas faced difficulties in their recovery processes. Consequently, we can say that the adverse effects of earthquakes are uneven with regard to the tourism recovery process.
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Akiko Tani, Hitoshi Kusakari
2013 Volume 49 Issue 1 Pages
47-52
Published: June 25, 2013
Released on J-STAGE: March 14, 2014
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In Japan, eating habits have changed during the postwar period. Until the 1970s, household income was suddenly higher, and the proportion of expenditure on livestock products had increased. Since the 1970s, while expenditure relating tofoodstuffs for homemade meals, as a proportion of total food expenses, has decreased, the proportion of expenditure on convenience foods and eating out has incr eased. The purpose of this study is to prove that a new framework led to changes in tastes and household compositions in the conventional scheme of the demand system analysis. The main outcomes of this study are as follows. First, in the 1951–1970 period, livestock products have showed high income elasticity. Second, services substituting for housework (cooking, cleaning, etc.) were largely in demand after the 1970s. Finally, in recent years, younger households have continued to enjoy convenience foods and eating out, while older households have maintained a taste for primary foodstuffs.
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Norikazu Inoue, Kazuto Yamagishi
2013 Volume 49 Issue 1 Pages
53-58
Published: June 25, 2013
Released on J-STAGE: March 14, 2014
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The implications for the existence of regional learning groups of farmers and consumers seem to be growing with respect to community development. The purpose of this study is to clarify the characteristics of a regional learning group of farmers and consumers; it follows a case study in Izumo district, Shimane prefecture. Our main results are as follows: (1) The leader clarifies and systematizes ideas and has networks involving both farmers and consumers, (2) The group’s roles are shared with both farmers and consumers, (3) There are many types of learning activities, including those involving real experience and inspection, and (4) Learning activities provide farmers and consumers with a broad understanding of food issues and rural problems.
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Atsushi Matsuoka, Atsushi Yamafuji, Shinjiro Sumida
2013 Volume 49 Issue 1 Pages
59-64
Published: June 25, 2013
Released on J-STAGE: March 14, 2014
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The purpose of this study was to clarify the possibility of undertaking pesticide-free cultivation in environmentally friendly citrus farming. To approach this task, we conducted a survey of an organic citrus production organization in Ehime prefecture. The survey results show that there were only a few or chards where pesticide-free cultivation practices were undertaken, because disease and insect damage often occurs wherever the citrus fruit unshu was produced. Meanwhile, there were many cases where pesticide-free cultivation practices were undertaken, vis-à-vis medium- and late-maturing citrus. On comparing farming incomes on a 10-acre basis, it was found that incomes derived from farming that involved pesticide-free cultivation were lower than that involving low-pesticide cultivation.
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Takuo Nakayama
2013 Volume 49 Issue 1 Pages
65-69
Published: June 25, 2013
Released on J-STAGE: March 14, 2014
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Mountain villages in Japan have seen a large-scale exodus of their youth. To stop this phenomenon from continuing, —which leads to depopulation and population aging—it is important to understand the economies of mountain villages, and then develop a precise structure that supports domiciliation.
In these mountain villages, unique agricultural practices that embrace a variety of methods are r equired; however, it is difficult to clarify and analyze this kind of unique management by examining statistical data. As a result, I carried out a participant-obser vation field study for one year or more in Niyodogawa-cho, Kochi, Japan. By forming a reliable relationship with a local farmer in this area, I was able to analyze his agricultural management; I did so, largely by reviewing his job diary and by making direct observations.
As a result, it is revealed that farming immigrants who have finished their child care obligations can succeed in sustainable agricultural management; on the other hand, it is comparatively more difficult for younger immigrants who are caring fortheir young children to manage their households.
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Hiroki Ishii, Toshikazu Urade, Akiharu Kamihogi
2013 Volume 49 Issue 1 Pages
70-75
Published: June 25, 2013
Released on J-STAGE: March 14, 2014
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There has been a general tendency, wherein the number of new farmers has been decreasing. As the number of new farmers from non-farm households as a percentage of all new farmers has grown, so too has their importance as the bearer of Japanese agriculture.
This study aims to examine the effects of agricultural training systems delivered by agricultural production corporations on new farmers.
The results of a questionnaire survey administered among agricultural production corporations, are as follows: (1) The rate of new employees in agricultur e increases after agricultural training by agricultural production corporations largely because of long-term training systems and supports to new farmers, and (2) New farmers continue farming largely because they are highly active in their work, and they have established sustainable relationships with the corporations during their training.
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Tomoko Kinugasa, Mitoshi Yamaguchi, Masatsugu Nakagawa
2013 Volume 49 Issue 1 Pages
76-81
Published: June 25, 2013
Released on J-STAGE: March 14, 2014
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Nose town is located in Osaka city’s suburbs, but most of the area is mountainous; agriculture is its main industry. Promoting rural-urban interchanges is one of the most important agendas in the town’s development plan. We executed questionnaires among farmers in Nose town and empirically analyzed the characteristics of farmers who would like to be involved in rural-urban interchanges. According to our results, farmers who look forward to the institute for promoting agricultural land accumulation, those who are interested in local-branded crops, and those who often sell crops at the Roadside Station (
Michi no Eki) are interested in rural-urban interchanges. Sale destinations other than the Roadside Station and basic farm characteristics such as size of farmland, age, share of nonagricultural income, and share of rented farmland were found to have no statistically significant effects on the motivation to get involved in rural-urban interchanges. It would be beneficial for highly motivated agricultural farmers to gather and discuss, in a comprehensive manner, various kinds of agricultural policy.
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Kyoko Matsumoto, Satoshi Hoshino, Toshihiro Yogo
2013 Volume 49 Issue 1 Pages
82-88
Published: June 25, 2013
Released on J-STAGE: March 14, 2014
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This study addresses pertinent factors in sustaining small-scale water supply cooperatives (SWSCs). Based on our survey results, we identified three important areas to be addressed prior to the construction of water-supply infrastructure: (1) Identify the characteristics of communities to be involved in an SWSC, so that the SWSC can understand the shared interests of prospective members, (2) Identify the experiences of local communities in rule-making, for example, those based on neighborhood associations, and (3) For those communities that cannot fulfill (1) and (2), capacity-building among member residents is necessary, if they are to achieve the public or common interests of members through the enactment of SWSCs.
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Kotaro Fusayasu, Toyonobu Sato, Hisashi Datai
2013 Volume 49 Issue 1 Pages
89-94
Published: June 25, 2013
Released on J-STAGE: March 14, 2014
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Two subjects of key interest in rural areas are (1) Improvement of residents’ living environment and (2) Creation of job opportunities. In addressing these issues, it is effective to harness the residents’ skills to supply the services essential to their daily lives. The aim of this study is to evaluate the supply of such services in the rural area of Maniwa city by interviewing households within the area ; we also consider the appropriate methods by which to supply each service.
The conclusions: Transportation service, for example, should be supplied for a price equal to the cost of the gasoline used ; consumers should pay JPY 200 of this cost, and the government should pay the remainder. In this way, transportation service can be offered to all households that require this service.
Grass-mowing service should be supplied for JPY 300 or 500 per hour.
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Seigo Sasaki
2013 Volume 49 Issue 1 Pages
95-99
Published: June 25, 2013
Released on J-STAGE: March 14, 2014
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This study examines the means of support extended to new entrants to the agricultural sector. In the course of this examination, three points have become clear. First, a process with a view to independence is visualized, and it is observed that a support system tends to be established only after one has entered agriculture. Second, reflection support is provided intentionally, and trainees do realize that they make use of this type of support. Third, in gathering together, trainees realize that they make use of reflection support, and this increases their incentive to succeed.
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Kazushi Nishimura
2013 Volume 49 Issue 1 Pages
100-105
Published: June 25, 2013
Released on J-STAGE: March 14, 2014
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This study aims to reveal the economic conditions of corn contractors who use large self-propelled har vesters; we do so by examining the corn double-cropping area in warm southwestern districts in Japan. We found that the introduction of such a machine requires one to have a large capacity,—that is, more than 100 ha per machine—in the absence of a government subsidy. If dairy farmers are willing to establish a corn-contractor sideline, they need to be invited to share in the use of this implement with others in order to attain a high capacity. In addition, the introduction of new seed varieties or cropping patterns should be considered to extend the appropriate harvesting time.
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Xue Qiong Zhou, Makoto Nohmi
2013 Volume 49 Issue 1 Pages
106-112
Published: June 25, 2013
Released on J-STAGE: March 14, 2014
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This study analyzes farmers’choices of living arrangements after retirement, on the basis of the results of a survey of 164 rural farmers living in Bayannaoer city, Inner Mongolia, China. This survey was undertaken, and its results assessed, with due consideration of Hayashi’s quantification theory. Factors influencing the choice of residential location mainly comprised economic factors, individual and family factors, human relationships in the rural community, and differences of preference between rural areas and cities. A positive preference for living in rural areas was influenced by calm living circumstances, good human relationships in the rural community, and living with one’s own children in the same rural area.
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Sarina Bao, Satoshi Hoshino, Shizuka Hashimoto, Yasuaki Kuki, Nastuki ...
2013 Volume 49 Issue 1 Pages
113-119
Published: June 25, 2013
Released on J-STAGE: March 14, 2014
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In this study, we analyze the current state of Internet use in rural China, on the basis of the results of a questionnaire survey of residents of a village in Inner Mongolia. We looked to determine the factors that affect human attitudes toward Internet use in rural areas. Today, the number of Internet users among farmers in rural areas is very small. Based on the results of our research, we found that the Internet use groups are distinguished by four factors: basic computer knowledge, the nature of employment (farmer vs. nonfarmer), television use, and advantages related to Internet use. To resolve problems relating to Internet use among farmers, the advantages inherent in Internet use should be advertised, and information relating to basic computer knowledge should be disseminated. F urthermore, multiple routes of information delivery are required.
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Ryohei Yamashita, Takeshi Arai
2013 Volume 49 Issue 1 Pages
120-124
Published: June 25, 2013
Released on J-STAGE: March 14, 2014
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The purpose of this study was to determine whether a highly evaluated regional brand of rice, a domestic agricultural product, can maintain an excellent evaluation in the future, within an uncertain international agricultural market. To predict future changes to consumer preferences, we analyzed some effects of price, quality, cultivation method, and producer attribution on consumer preference; we did so by using the pair comparison method, while also using domestic, top-grade rice as a benchmark and three US rice types as a competitive commodity . Under the assumed market conditions, approximately20% of the low-price-oriented consumers supported the US rice types, whereas most of the consumers were safety-oriented with regard to food risk. Furthermore, we found that in the absence of precise information regarding risk or the producer of the agricultural products, consumer decision-making may be influenced mor e by price.
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Mitsuyuki Tomiyoshi, Yoshiaki Nishikawa, Kihueng Kim, Ju Kyong Lee, Sh ...
2013 Volume 49 Issue 1 Pages
125-130
Published: June 25, 2013
Released on J-STAGE: March 14, 2014
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This study investigates the current state of various organizations engaged in seed conservation activities in South Korea. By interviewing the members of five organizations, this study examines the functions related to these organizations’activities. We found that the framework constructed to analyze the social functions of conservation activities by Japanese non-profit organizations could also be applied to private organizations in South Korea. Also, it is implied that the activities in South Korea were large-scale among organizations, but small in number compared to the Japanese status quo.
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Yinghua Li, Ryoji Ito, Hitoshi Aoyagi
2013 Volume 49 Issue 1 Pages
131-136
Published: June 25, 2013
Released on J-STAGE: March 14, 2014
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This study undertook an analysis of a case study village S in Sichuan province, with respect to the liquidation of farmland in Chinese inland farming villages. F irst, in a labor market where employment opportunities are scarce, and where younger farmers have left high school or college, work away from home in Chengdu city or other large cities, there tends to an increase in the lending of land usage rights. On the other hand, older farmers with no formal education or those who had completed only primary school have no option but to engage in physical labor at the construction industry within their own towns or to work in full-time farming in their villages, while expanding the scale of their activities by renting out their land. These borrowing and lending activities have pr omoted the liquidation of farmland in villages, leading numerous farmers to vacate their land; this phenomenon has, in turn, lead to the creation of upper-class farming households.
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Bedru Beshir, Koichi Usami, Yoshiaki Nishikawa
2013 Volume 49 Issue 1 Pages
137-142
Published: June 25, 2013
Released on J-STAGE: March 14, 2014
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Zakaria Amidu Issahaku, Keshav Lall Maharjan
2013 Volume 49 Issue 1 Pages
143-147
Published: June 25, 2013
Released on J-STAGE: March 14, 2014
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Fuminobu Saito, Seiki Kiyono
2013 Volume 49 Issue 1 Pages
148-153
Published: June 25, 2013
Released on J-STAGE: March 14, 2014
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In terms of positioning the entry of local food service chains into agriculture as one means of procuring and using food products, this study compares local chains to larger chains and examines them from two perspectives: (1) The number ofitems produced at their own farms and food preparation locations, and (2) The method of entry into agriculture. No differ ences were found between local chains and large chains in terms of the production function of their own farms and food preparation locations. With regard to the method of entering agriculture, local chains tend not to have strong relationships with agricultural producers prior to entry, which results in a lack of cooperation with farmers before entry and engenders entry at the head office level. Large chains, however, had stronger ties with producers, with whom they sign farming contracts even before entering agriculture. In cooperation with producers upon entering agriculture, they gain access to regions not related to the head office location.
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Megumi Oomiya
2013 Volume 49 Issue 1 Pages
154-159
Published: June 25, 2013
Released on J-STAGE: March 14, 2014
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We investigated the use of local vegetable products in the hospital-food services of three Koseiren hospitals. The hospitals use local vegetable products that are purchased from retailers, farmers, Japan Agricultural Cooperatives (JAs), and foodservice contractors. There are differences among the three hospitals, in terms of level of activity and consumption of local vegetable products; many of these differences derive from the ideas or plans of the hospital managers. One of the three hospitals uses local vegetables products once a month, while the other hospitals use them every day. Two of the hospitals have experienced problems in using local vegetable products within their food services, namely, supply shortages and a lack of variety. The results of this study imply that JAs have the potential to satisfy hospital food service requests for local vegetable products. Moreover, it will be necessary for hospital managers to become more active in the use of local vegetable products.
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Satoshi Ishitsuka
2013 Volume 49 Issue 1 Pages
160-165
Published: June 25, 2013
Released on J-STAGE: March 14, 2014
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This study analyzes the current state of exports of processed food by Japanese food enterprises, and r elated issues; it does so by taking up the case of miso and konnyaku.
The data used herein are based on the results of fieldwork done among various food enterprises, in Aomori province and Fukuoka province, Japan.
The findings are as follows:
(1)There are three key issues faced by food enterprises that relate to processed food exports which half of the agricultural products should be exported, how to adress earthquake disaster and how to handle processed foods with various “speeds”of spoilage, and (2) Japanese food enterprises continue to export more and more processed food, and so it is becoming more and more important, in terms of competition, that those food products be original.
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Junichi Murooka
2013 Volume 49 Issue 1 Pages
166-171
Published: June 25, 2013
Released on J-STAGE: March 14, 2014
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The number of customers that patronize farmers’ markets in hilly and mountainous areas of the Chugoku region has stagnated. Some of these farmers’ markets look to sell directly to city inhabitants within the neighborhood. We investigate a farmers’ market in “S” Town, Hiroshima prefecture. This study uses questionnaire data gathered from customers (n=374) and interview data from the manager of one farmers’ market. We analyze this case from three viewpoints: (1) A rough calculation of profits, (2) Customers’ evaluation of direct sales, and (3) Customers’ evaluations of the main store. This study concludes by arguing that direct sales at farmers’ markets hold significance for city inhabitants.
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Jiarong Qian, Shoichi Ito, Yueying Mu, Hiroshi Isoda
2013 Volume 49 Issue 1 Pages
172-176
Published: June 25, 2013
Released on J-STAGE: March 14, 2014
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Katsunobu Kondo, Yasutaka Yamamoto, Yongkwang Shin
2013 Volume 49 Issue 1 Pages
177-182
Published: June 25, 2013
Released on J-STAGE: March 14, 2014
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We measure regional productivity changes that reflect both economies of scale and multiregional productivity differences, in a case of rice production in South Korea. We calculate the multilateral input-based productivity (MIBP) index and themultilateral output-based productivity (MOBP) index. The results show that average annual growth rates of the national aggregate MIBP and MOBP are each less than 1%.
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Li Wan
2013 Volume 49 Issue 1 Pages
183-187
Published: June 25, 2013
Released on J-STAGE: March 14, 2014
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This study analyzes recent-year price fluctuations on the international market that have affected domestic feed prices. A number of results were derived. F irst, there is no relationship between corn import prices and corn import volumes; there is also no relationship between corn import prices and domestic feed production. The corn import volume has been declining since reaching its peak in 2003. Second, the corn prices of near futures as per the Chicago Board of Trade (CBOT) precede corn import prices by four months; we also analyze domestic feed prices via time-series correlation analysis. Third, the greatest impact on domestic feed prices is that of corn prices of near futures on the CBOT, which were analyzed via multiple regression analysis. Fourth, under the compound feed price stabilization system in Japan, the impact of international market prices on domestic feed prices was found to be around 10-15%.
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Kana Miwa
2013 Volume 49 Issue 1 Pages
188-193
Published: June 25, 2013
Released on J-STAGE: March 14, 2014
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Takayoshi Kuraoka, Norikazu Inoue
2013 Volume 49 Issue 1 Pages
194-200
Published: June 25, 2013
Released on J-STAGE: March 14, 2014
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This study clarifies the characteristics of personnel management among the employees and members of community-based farming corporations. We highlight these characteristics by considering similarities and differences in personnel management between members and employees.
The similarities are as follows: recruitment makes use of directors’ network connections, a machine operator must obtain a driver’s license to use agricultural machinery, hourly wages are roughly the same, and personnel evaluation systems aresimilar.
Differences relate to a specific portion of personnel management among employees: recruitment makes use of unemployment offices, and job advertisements within the store; education with respect to farming techniques, as well as commercial knowledge, are roughly the same; and standard monthly wages and, participation in social insurance tend to be similar.
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Kazu Hagihara, Satoshi Hoshino, Shizuka Hashimoto, Yasuaki Kuki
2013 Volume 49 Issue 1 Pages
201-206
Published: June 25, 2013
Released on J-STAGE: March 14, 2014
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In this study, we clarify the role model components of those staff members who work for a municipal branch office, in support of local communities; we take Toyota city as the case study area. A questionnaire survey was executed in this study, among all staff members of the 12 branch offices of Toyota city. Our analysis identified three role model components among local officers: (1) From the viewpoint of residents, these officers take actions to explore and address the challenges that local communities face, (2) They derive a sense of satisfaction from being a staff member who takes charge of community affairs, and (3) They undertake efforts to share their knowledge and experience as administrative officers with local residents. The results of our analysis suggest that it is important for the government to consider how to enhance role model components within the context of human resource development.
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Kentaro Nishihama, Tsuyoshi Kitano
2013 Volume 49 Issue 1 Pages
207-212
Published: June 25, 2013
Released on J-STAGE: March 14, 2014
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This study analyzes the morale of employees who work in a group participation arrangement within community-based farming corporations in Hiroshima prefecture. It makes use of a desire-provision system morale survey that analyzes four factors: policy, job, relatedness, and compensation. This methodology leverages Herzberg’ s motivation-hygiene theory, where policy and job factors are considered motivators. The results show that the morale of employees is strengthened by policy and relatedness factors, that the compensation factor is not a major issue, and that a low job factor (i.e., as a motivator) becomes problematic in terms of development. In particular, improvements in currently low policy and job factors among women are required.
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MeiYing Han, Hideo Furutsuka
2013 Volume 49 Issue 1 Pages
213-218
Published: June 25, 2013
Released on J-STAGE: March 14, 2014
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The purpose of this paper is to clarify the fund management function of the transaction daybook of a self-administered bookkeeping system. In this comparative study, we examine the fund management function of a transaction daybook, andcompare it to that of a statement of cash receipts and disbursement. The results of this comparative study are as follows: (1) We clarified that the income-and-outgo concept inherent in a transaction daybook and the income-and-outgo concept inherent in a statement of cash receipts and disbursement are materially different, (2) When cash was a fund, we clearly showed that a transaction daybook had a fund management function,and (3) When cash and savings were funds, and if we extracted cash transactions and deposits-and-savings dealings from the transaction daybook and totaled them, it became clear that a transaction daybook has the same fund management function as a statement of cash receipts and disbursement.
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Kiyotaka Masuda, Masao Tomioka
2013 Volume 49 Issue 1 Pages
219-224
Published: June 25, 2013
Released on J-STAGE: March 14, 2014
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The standards vis-à-vis environmentally friendly agriculture practices in Shiga prefecture include r eductions in the frequency of synthetic pesticide application and in chemical nitrogen fertilizers inputs to less than 50% of the levels seen in conventional agriculture. This study examines whether envir onmentally friendly rice production practices help mitigate global warming; it does so by using the life cycle assessment method. Organic fertilizers used in environmentally friendly rice production caused a large increase in methane emissions from paddy fields; consequently, environmentally friendly rice production practices actually increased total greenhouse gas emissions, compared to conventional production practices. Our results suggest that efforts to control methane emissions—such as midseason drainage prolongation—should be included in standards vis-à-vis environmentally friendly rice production, in order to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
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