In this study, by categorizing beef into 2 types, beef produced in Japan （Japanese beef and hybridize type beef） and general beef （dairy beef produced in Japan and beef produced outside Japan）, we constructed a new spatial equilibrium model by including product differentiation and two-way trade and conducted an econometric analysis of trade liberalization’s impact on Japan’s two-way trade of beef. The analysis revealed the following: 1. Japan is the country/region the most affected by trade liberalization. 2. Due to the current trade agreement, the increase in the net exports of beef produced in Japan is small compared with the increase in the net imports of general beef. Additionally, in response to an increase in the imports of general beef and a decline in prices, the demand for beef produced in Japan is decreasing along with a fall in prices, leading, in turn, to a decreased production of both general beef and beef produced in Japan. 3. The extent of these changes in Japan will increase as the degree of trade liberalization increases.

Social science research on agricultural water use in Japan should focus on the need for inclusive watershed management to respond to climate change and the provision of ecosystem services for all the people. This study organizes seven contemporary issues related to agricultural water use into three phases: coordinated action and demand-driven water management at the farm ditch stage; land improvement districts as a management actor, maintenance and renewal problem and objectives of agricultural public enterprise at the agricultural irrigation stage; and a review of water rights and studies of the balance between water use and flood control at the basin-wide stage. The methodology and research accumulation of agricultural economics, such as the elucidation of institutional efficiency and utilisation, and economic evaluation, can provide insight into the determination of technical and conservation levels in watershed management.

This study aims to evaluate buyer preference for vegetables in the intermediate trading in Japan. This paper applies best-worst scaling for cabbage and lettuce buyers in Ota Wholesale Market. The primary outcomes are as follows. First, the mixed logit model and share of preference results show respondents considered “freshness” most important in common with both cabbage and lettuce and all job categories. Second, the essential attribute next to “freshness” differed a by-product and job type. Third, regardless of product type or job type, “brand” and “supplier” tended to be less critical.

This paper clarifies the decision-making of wagyu breeding farmers when they chose sire straws according to various data. To conclude, firstly factors in the decision to crossbreed include evaluation of current and past crossbreeding, expectations for the future of the pedigree, inbreeding considerations, and requests from fattening farmers. Secondly, breeding farmers get information from carcass grading and information about the wagyu calf market from inseminators, fattening farmers, among others. Furthermore, analysis of auction data reveals that breeding farmers are basically making decisions to avoid losses and risk, and they are also combining several choices, not just one.

In recent years, the interest in meat alternatives has been increasing. To investigate the demand for meat alternatives, this study estimated the willingness to pay (WTP) for plant-based (soy) meat through a choice experiment with three different treatments: information on environmental impacts, human health, and no additional information. The results of the mixed logit model estimation showed that the willingness to pay for plant-based meat was equal to that for beef, if taste and non-GMO use were guaranteed. It was also found that the willingness to pay tended to be higher when environmental information was provided.

This study evaluates regional supports for new organic farmers using questionnaire surveys and choice experiments. We estimate the willingness to pay (WTP) for three types of regional supports, comprising marketing support, farmland support, and technical support. The estimation results from the mixed logit model indicate that students in agricultural colleges have a negative WTP for the adoption of organic farming if there is no regional support. However, the three types of supports are almost equally important and positively evaluated by respondents. By implementing these three supports simultaneously, the WTP becomes positive, meaning that average respondents are willing to adopt organic farming.

This paper examines public agricultural infrastructure investment, clarifying the impact of expansion in central government grants after the 2010s regime change on municipal expenditure and revenue. Expenditure on grant-aided projects with central government subsidies expanded while that on local independent unsubsidized projects fell. Such changes in the expenditure pattern increased prefectural government expenditure within municipal revenue, while ordinary fiscal resources declined. There was, therefore, a dichotomy between municipalities in public agricultural infrastructure investment, where investment by municipalities engaging in grant-aided projects increased while that by ones engaging in local independent unsubsidized projects declined.