This study was conducted on the Cooperative of JA Kanagawa Seisho in the Ashikaga region, Kanagawa Prefecture, in order to understand the present situation of how the food processing was done in suburban rural families and the possibility of passing it onto the next generation. The questionnaire survey to 213 female members of the agricultural cooperative illustrated that women in charge of food processing appreciated various values. Women in the following generation acknowledged the quality of handmade processed food and the importance of handing it down, but they were unwilling to accept that it was the role of women to do so. The interviews with women who were actively involved with food processing revealed that many of them had not learned the processing skills from the parental generation, and that they had made their own decision to become involved, with the support from social networks. Food processing was regarded as women’s hobby. Information, materials and finished products were exchanged within the locality. Food processing not only supplied good quality foodstuffs, but also made use of local resources and revitalized local social networks.

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In the agricultural sector, there is a need to promote environment-friendly agricultural produc­tion. One way to do so is to use biodiesel fuel (BDF), which has a carbon-neutral nature. However, the use of BDF is relatively rare in the agricultural sector. To promote the use of BDF in this sector, we need to differentiate agricultural pro­ducts that use BDF (i.e., eco-friendly products) from normal products. These two categories of pro­ducts are similar in terms of taste and quality, but differ in terms of carbon dioxide emissions. In this study, based on a questionnaire survey in Kasaoka City we clarify consumers’ preferences for eco-friendly products. Our findings are as follows: 1) eco-friendly products may be appreciated, even if the taste and quality are the same; and 2) eco-friendly products have a greater probability of being selected than do normal products, given that they have the same price level. Thus, it is possible diffe­rentiate eco-friendly products from normal products.

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This study examines the changes in farm revenue and expenses in an “Ecological Immigration Village,” before and after immigration. Here, we survey and study farmers in Sanggendalai Town in Inner Mongolia. The results show that farm income drops significantly in an immigration year because of the decrease in the number of livestock and changes in the production environment. However, all farmers have improved their farm income by increasing the size of their farms and the number of livestock, better use of farmland, and using farmer income support policies.

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In recent years, the number of organic farmers’ market has increased. However, many of these have problems ensuring customer credit, attracting customers, and establishing management systems, among other things. In order to solve these problems, first, it is important that the manager of the market sets guidelines for store openings in a market and ensure that farmers adhere to these guidelines. Next, it is necessary to make these activities public in order to win the trust of customers. In addition, the market should be open at least one day a week, so that customers can rely on them for their regular shopping. Furthermore, it is necessary that the manager employs full-time staff by securing wages from the store-opening fee paid by participants of the market.

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The continued drop in rice prices has prompted an increase in branded products to boost farmers’ incomes. However, to create a branded product, growers often need to adopt specific practices to meet brand-labeling standards. Thus, this study intends to elucidate the diffusion process of new farming operations by focusing on community farm enterprises (CFEs) in Toyooka City. Here, we examine the characteristics, motivations and rationales, and other factors that affect decision-making. Interviews with CFE leaders reveal that pioneer CFEs were motivated by the effect of nurturing storks. On the other hand, follower CFEs were motivated mainly by the chance to increase their income. Furthermore, pioneer CFEs encouraged follower CFEs to adopt the new methods.

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The Kinoeki Project is a community activity in which small forest owners sell logging residues they have collected. This study clarifies the actual conditions and the problems of the Kinoeki Project, and considers the sustainability and significance of the project. According to our questionnaire survey, registered forest owners comprise approximately 10% or less of all forest owners in most of the study area. Of 18 organizations, six chose “administration without relying on subsidies” as a problem of the project. In all areas, the Kinoeki Project has a deficit balance, after deducting subsidies from income. This means that the project is financially unstable. According to our break-even analysis, it is necessary to sell collected logging residues as wood fuel at a high price in order to increase the number of collected logs and to reduce the purchase price.

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[in Japanese]

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The farm accounting ideas of Ohtsuki Masao (1895–1980) are explored in this study. The bookkeeping system for family farms, considered by Ohtsuki in 1933, has been highly successful in the history of farm accounting in Japan. Furthermore, the system’s potential benefit of developing Japan’s farm accounting is important. Accounting in Japan was originally based on a balance of payments and static accounting. Ohtsuki’s bookkeeping system is based on the same principles. However, the significant contribution of his system was to integrate agriculture into the system.

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This study examines the effect on the family farm economy of an agrarian reform and a tax reform. For this purpose, we study five farmers in the Yamagata prefecture for the period 1942 to 1948. Our findings are as follows. First, the fund circulation is sound, largely during the war and post-war periods. Second, the investment and capital required by a tenant farmer are large because of the agrarian reform and the increase in the sale of farm produce. Third, income expenditures are large because of the tax reform.

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This study examines whether woody biomass from broad-leaved trees is able to provide sufficient resources for two thermal power plants newly established in the Kochi Prefecture. The analysis is divided into two steps: 1) an estimation of the supply and demand functions of the woody biomass, including the break-even price of the plants; and 2) an examination of the feasibility of the two stations, based on the market equilibrium. The results are as follows. First, the plants can profit from generating power. Second, the broad-leaved trees in the area supply enough biomass to operate the two stations.

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By interviewing seven organizations and institutions in Taiwan, this study investigates the current state of organizations engaged in local seed conservation activities. Then, we compare the conservation systems of local seeds in Taiwan, Japan, and Korea. The results show that activities of NPOs (non-profit organizations) in Taiwan engaging in these activities began relatively recently. A researcher of Taiwan University played an important role in creating networks for these NPOs and other actors.

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This study examines the market potential of Tochigi-ken rice in foreign countries using data collected in Hong-Kong. A questionnaire was prepared to explore the choice behavior of Hong-Kong consumers, brokers, and retailers for various types of rice, such as rice from China and the United States, Japanese rice developed by Tochigi-ken (called Nasuhikari), and two other brands of Japanese rice. Of these, most Hong-Kong consumers choose Nasuhikari, which is highly rated in terms of quality and price. On the other hand, restaurant owners and brokers in the food industry are more willing to purchase American rice owing to its lower cost. Eating outside the home (e.g., at restaurants or food stalls) is a popular habit in Hong-Kong. Therefore, American rice has an advantage in the Hong-Kong rice market. Thus, Japanese rice growers or exporters should increase their efforts to cut the cost of their rice and to boost its share in the market.

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