Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF), Japan | Source | Download | (in Japanese)
Japan's Food, Agriculture and Rural Areas Basic Law, which explains the basic principles and measures of Japan's agricultural policy, was enacted in 1999, and many changes have occurred in Japan's agriculture over the past 25 years. In view of recent changes in the international situation, posing risks to food security, climate change impacts and global environmental issues, MAFF has been reviewing and amending the Basic Law since 2022 to respond to current and future realities and as a means for advancing agricultural policy, and submitted an amendment to the Basic Law in the same year. The current amendment, passed in June, reviewed and formulated the basic principles and measures that aim to strengthen food security, establish a food system in harmony with the environment, and improve productivity for the sustainable development of agriculture and rural communities. These include:
Ensure Food Security:
- Basic Principle: Food security ensures a stable supply of quality food at reasonable prices for all citizens.
- Key Measures: Improve food access, diversify import sources, promote agricultural exports, and enhance cost transparency within the food system.
Establish Environmentally Responsible Food Systems:
- Basic Principle: Food systems must reduce environmental burdens at all supply chain stages.
- Key Measures: Reduce environmental impacts of food industry operations.
Sustainable Agricultural Development:
- Basic Principle: Enhance productivity and value-added to achieve sustainable agriculture.
- Key Measures: Strengthen farm management, optimize land use, adopt smart technologies, support agribusinesses, and mitigate price volatility for agricultural inputs.
Rural Revitalization:
- Basic Principle: Rural areas must thrive to sustain local communities.
- Key Measures: Support farmland conservation, encourage rural business activities, promote agritourism, integrate agriculture with social services, and implement wildlife damage prevention measures.
