This study examines the characteristics and problems of self-accounting bookkeeping in four steps. First, it examines prior research. Second, it considers the requirements of an “orderly bookkeeping system.” Third, it considers this system for single-entry, double-entry, and self-accounting styles. Finally, the study clarifies the characteristics and problems of self-accounting bookkeeping. The results were as follows: (1) self-accounting bookkeeping requires an “orderly bookkeeping system.” (2) Double-entry bookkeeping is not an “orderly bookkeeping system.” (3) Single-entry bookkeeping cannot satisfy the requirements of an “orderly bookkeeping system”. (4) Self-accounting bookkeeping has a self-auditing function, which is subject to farm management.

China plays a major role in global cotton markets and lower cotton imports by China could reduce global cotton prices significantly. In this study, we provide a methodology for total factor productivity (TFP) of China’s agriculture under data availability limitation. As a case study, we apply this TFP methodology to cotton production.

Since 2001, Shiga prefecture has promoted environmentally friendly agricultural products through the “Kankyo Kodawari” certification. This certification can be divided conceptually into two parts: reducing the use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides, and preventing water degradation due to soil erosion from paddy fields. The former has both private and public benefits, while the latter has public benefits. We investigate the evaluation of environmentally friendly rice by residents through a choice experiment. We collected data through a mail survey with random sampling from the voters’ list. The results show that environmentally friendly rice is valued about 1,000 yen/5 kg higher than conventional rice; however, that value does not stem from preventing soil erosion alone. Rather, this premium is attributable to reducing the use of fertilizers and pesticides.

Many agricultural brands in Japan do not have product management systems, such as product standards and monitoring systems for maintaining standards. This study aims to understand consumer evaluation for constructing a product management system in Kagoshimakensan Kurobuta, one of the most popular brands of pork in Japan, using choice-based conjoint analysis. Moreover, we examine the determinants of marginal willingness to pay for a product management system. The results are as follows. First, we show that a product management system raises the willingness to pay for Kagoshimakensan Kurobuta. Second, safety concerns of food and buying in mail order business have positive effects on marginal willingness to pay for a product management system.

This study examines the technical details and trends of plant breeding technologies by analyzing patent applications. The study uses text mining for patent application date of Monsanto and Syngenta from 2000 to 2017 for the following results. First, there has been rapid improvement in genome editing technologies, which enable the generation of new traits from endogenous genes. Especially, the two companies focus on R&D in genome control and regulation, which are necessary techniques in using genome editing technologies. Second, there has been a rapid increase in plant varieties with environmental tolerances to drought, cold, and nitrogen to counter the effects of climate change.

In this study, we evaluate the economic potential of biomass power generation using rural sewage sludge in Hokkaido prefecture, Japan, using a cost-benefit analysis. We show that the return on investment for facilities of biomass power generation using rural sewage sludge was lower than the total investment cost.

In Japan, the scale of rice farming management has been expanding (business size and farm size). We monitored diversification strategies and business innovation in rice farming. We selected three large-scale rice farms as the subjects for our case study. The study aimed to (1) examine diversification strategies for business and product sales, and (2) discuss the characteristics of diversification strategy and options for handling issues that may arise in future. Focusing on management objectives and sales management, we investigate the characteristics of diversification strategy in corporate rice farming. The survey results revealed that farmland location is important for an effective diversification strategy, as it influences both vertical and horizontal diversification in corporate rice farming.

Tariffs, export subsidies, and income supports are major examples of agriculture protection by developed countries. However, comparing the revealed trade advantage and nominal rate of assistance, there is no clear evidence that protection affects trade. Therefore, this study examines the impact of agricultural protection policies on agricultural competitiveness using a fixed effect model with panel data of 76 countries worldwide. The empirical results show that agricultural protection policies do influence agricultural competitiveness. In addition, as mentioned in several studies, the land-labor ratio and average wage partially regulate agricultural competitiveness. The empirical results suggest that agricultural protection policies do reduce trade volume and can cause economic inefficiency at the same time.

This study examines the development process and problem solving in the restaurant business through regional cooperation, using a case study of restaurant chain company “W” in Kobe City and Tosashimizu City. Close examination of materials provided by W and some stakeholder interviews have revealed three points, as important factors of regional cooperation in the restaurant business. The first is business matching by the coordinator tying an urban and rural community and gradual commercialization. The second is a stable food supply chain and reduction in distribution costs due to regional cooperation. The third is the allotment of appropriate roles depending on the strengths of each actor. This case study shows the possibility of regional cooperation in the restaurant business as a win-win scenario for cooperating businesses.

The study analyzed the actual condition of company B, which is using SNS to sell fresh agricultural products in China. The questionnaire survey shows that it may be possible to resolve some limiting factors in e-commerce in fresh agricultural products from the perspective of buyers, for example, searching for distributors, after sales service, establishing relationships of trust with sellers, asymmetric information, and so on. The study revealed that SNS is an effective way to develop e-commerce in fresh agricultural products.