The word “Kyosei” means appropriate environmental, economic, and cultural preservation through dialogue, collaboration, as well as joint action among parties and organizations concerned. Establishing food systems in which everyone has access to high-quality food products is attracting worldwide attention, but although progress is being made in reviewing the system in Japan, many issues still need to be resolved. This paper provides an overview of the changes in the global food environment and the characteristics of food and agriculture that have served as the background for such changes. It describes the methods, paths, and basic issues for realizing a Kyosei food system based on these changes.

抄録全体を表示

The multiple functions of agriculture in Japan, such as water recharge and flood prevention, have been evaluated and discussed as having a positive effect on the environment. However, these arguments need to be fundamentally reexamined when considering the environmental impact of the food system as a whole. In what ways, then, do we need to work toward a transformation of Japan’s food system? This paper discusses the most pressing issues regarding policies for food system transitions, such as the government’s Midori Strategy, which as released in 2021 and primarily focuses on the use of science and technology and climate change adaptation measures. One of the most important issues is determining how governments can link the introduction of new technologies to the transition of the existing socio-technical regime while promoting climate change adaptation measures in the local context.

抄録全体を表示

The United Nations has announced the Inclusive Wealth Index as a new measure of prosperity with the aim of looking beyond GDP. Using this index, it is possible to visualize the value of natural and human capitals (such as health), which contribute to raising the well-being of people but cannot be measured by GDP. The degradation of natural capital has emerged as a significant global challenge, which has prompted an accelerated movement toward nature positivity. Corporations are increasingly expected to disclose information regarding their environmental, social, and governance practices, which highlights the undeniable importance of addressing environmental degradation and human rights issues. Natural capital is the foundation not only for economic activities but also for sustaining life. The degradation of this capital poses significant risks both to human society as a whole and to businesses. Halting the degradation of natural capital—including the food system, which serves as the foundation for survival—and aiming for nature positivity will be extremely important for maintaining a happy, sustainable society.

抄録全体を表示

Potential future food shortages due to global population growth and the effects of climate change are currently a cause for concern. Some ingredients are expected to be in short supply in the next decade or so, while others are expected to be readily available even beyond that time. The effective use of ingredients that are expected to be available is important for dealing with food shortages. Based on these considerations, this paper proposes to address this issue with food swapping while cooking as a method of replacing food that is no longer available, alongside a food data strategy to promote its social deployment.

抄録全体を表示

This paper has two primary objectives. First, it seeks to present a conceptual framework for understanding the current state of food systems as a whole. Second, it explores the potential for spreading civic agriculture in Japan. I begin by introducing the concept of food politics, which encompasses the relational dynamics among various actors such as farmers, consumers, food citizens, agro-food transnational corporations (TNCs), and governments involved in food systems. This is followed by a discussion of the three-dimensional framework—historical, spatial, and economic/social/ecological. This discussion emphasizes the social and ecological aspects and highlights the role of food citizens, community engagement, and the particular ecological perspective that embraces nonhumans to transcend a conventional nature/human dualism. Subsequently, I examine the three discourses of food security: market-oriented (global), state-centered (national), and community/livelihoodcentered (local). Based on these discussions, I analyze the missteps in Japan’s post-war agricultural development, which have been characterized by the depoliticization of potential food citizens and local communities. While the civic agriculture in the United States and other Western societies have, to some extent, maintained what is called “small-c” conservatism, Japanese society largely lacks this infrapolitical function. The paper concludes with a pessimistic outlook on the possibility of establishing civic agriculture in Japan.

抄録全体を表示