This study analyzes agriculture under the Food, Agriculture, and Rural Areas Basic Law, focusing on“agriculture”as the object of recognition. The three main findings are as follows: first, there are two types of critics of the Basic Law: the“doctrinaire”and the“effective”critics．Second, there is a gap between policy evaluation and actual performance. Third, the mechanism for policy evaluation has not yet been established. From these characteristics, it can be pointed out that, as a prospect for the revised Basic Law on Food, Agriculture, and Rural Areas, it is important to strive to ensure the linkage among the various agricultural perspectives of the Basic Law, individual laws, and the field.

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The revision of Japan’s Basic Law on Food, Agriculture, and Rural Areas, initiated in 2022, has largely overlooked the policy implementation framework. Given that rural policy encompasses objectives and content that span agricultural production, livelihoods, and community activities, formation of local executive entities is of paramount importance. In this study, we shift the focus to municipalities and explore rural policy’s potential. First, we scrutinize how the rural policy domain, conducted by the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries, has evolved. Next, we examine changes in the central government relationship between the Prime Minister’s Office and the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries. Furthermore, we consider municipalities’ role in rural policies, considering the national and local governments’ fiscal relationship. Finally, to exemplify rural policies’ potential, we examine Toyota City in Aichi Prefecture. Overall, we emphasize the perspective of diversity within regions and communities and explore approaches to encourage residents’ voluntary participation in rural policies.

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This article argues that Japan lacks proper food policy that secures healthy food and diet for its people. Japanʼs Basic Law on Food, Agriculture and Rural Areas mainly promotes agriculture and food industry, assuming people can realize healthy diet only if plenty food is supplied in its domestic market. In order to discuss its lack of adequate food policy, this article first outlines the current situation of food poverty and food inequality in Japan, and demonstrates that there is no mention on supporting them in the Basic Law and the related policy documents. Then it argues the importance of“utilization”in the FAOʼs Food Security dimensions and the development of more comprehensive food policy.

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