This article reviews empirical methods for analyzing organic food consumption. By reviewing 126 studies published in agricultural and environmental economics journals, we identified several empirical methods including conjoint analysis, the contingent valuation method, non-hypothetical experiments, natural field experiments, demand function, purchasing behavior analysis, and hedonic price regressions. We outline how these methods are used in the literature and discuss various methodological issues. The statistical relationship between these methods and academic performance, measured by journal rankings and citations, is also investigated.

This study elucidates the effects of organizational socialization tactics and proactive behavior on the regional adaptation of employees. We used a combination of the following methods: measurement of regional commitment and proactive behavior, and interview surveys. The main finding is that both organizational socialization tactics and proactive behavior led to building relationships with local residents, which fostered employees’ commitment to the community. Here are some of the key factors: (1) RJP before joining the company, (2) organizational support for employees participation in community activities, (3) employees’ own efforts to build relationships with local residents, and (4) early transfer of authority to employees.

With the rapid decrease of agricultural workers in Japan, expectations for foreign workers are rising. In this study, we surveyed technical intern trainees to examine determinants for extension their status of residence. The results of the ordinal logit model showed that income, satisfaction with salary, and low physical stress are the key factors for extending. We also found that trainees who came to Japan with a purpose of acquiring skills were more likely to update their status of residence than those who came to Japan for monetary purposes.

The objective of this study is to discuss the issues of grain corn production for paddy farms in warm-temperature regions of Japan. As a result of comparing the two case analyses with the advanced cases in Hokkaido and Tohoku, the main issue was the high production cost due to the low productivity. Therefore, it is necessary to consider measures to improve grain corn productivity, such as expanding the production scale.

The objective of this study is to measure total factor productivity (TFP) on a gross revenue basis reflecting the market valuation effect on products due to quality/taste improvement. The study examines relative improvements of TFP on the rice production in Hokkaido by applying Malmquist productivity index estimation. The findings are follows. First, both improvements of market valuation and of productivity on a quantity basis contributed to the TFP growth. Second, the period of TFP growth could show contributions of the diffusion of improved taste varieties and of marketing efforts on them as well as of the research and development in this region.

This study aimed to examine the issues and development directions concerning farm stays led by residents in Saikai City of Nagasaki Prefecture, Japan. The main outcomes were as follows: first, the financial situation of the secretariat was severe, and administrative support was indispensable. Second, due to the influence of COVID-19, the income from educational trips decreased sharply in comparison to that from tourism. Third, to maintain the secretariat, it was deemed necessary to attract tourists. The development directions involved creating full-time farm stays and promoting them under the regional management organization.

The objective of this study is to analyze the adoption of organic farming practices (OFP) by microdata from the 2020 census of agriculture and forestry in Japan. This research focuses on OFP in rice production of agricultural management entities (hereafter, rice farmers). The main outcomes are as follows. First, by descriptive statistics, this research shows relationships between the scale in rice planted area and adoption of OFP. Second, by k-prototypes clustering, rice farmers adopting OFP are divided into 6 clusters. These clusters are different in scales of rice planted area, scales of OFP, characteristics of farmers, and rural community-specific situations.