Agriculture in Japan faces serious challenges as it confronts countless problems that include a declining and aging working population, a shortage of successors, and unstable revenue. Meanwhile, expressions such as “smart agriculture,” “agrobusiness,” and “gainful agriculture” have started to feel more relevant to reality.
Agriculture, currently considered a prime example of a “3D” job (dirty, dangerous, and demanding), could become a positive workplace depending on the action taken going forward. It also has the potential to become part of the core infrastructure that helps to feed people without damaging the environment.
This issue examines the current state of affairs surrounding agriculture and contemplates the future of agriculture beyond its present developments.
（Published in 2019）