Agrifood & Horticulture

Events

24-26 October 2024

25-27 February 2025

11-14 March 2025

Japan’s farming landscape

Japan’s agriculture and fisheries make up for about 5% of its GDP. The output of farming in Japan includes crop and livestock production, with crop farming accounting for about two-third of the sector’s total output. Japan is the world’s 13th largest rice producer and belongs to the top 10 largest fishing nations, with one of the most productive fishing grounds in the world.

Japan’s food culture enjoys a high reputation world-wide and the Japanese love their home-grown, regionally-branded, high-quality products. However, as dietary patterns have come to include meat, dairy products and cereals, Japan is far from being self-sufficient. In fact, Japan is the largest importer of foods and agricultural products in the world, including pork, cheese, and fish(ery products).

Cultivating success for tomorrow

Japan’s population is rapidly ageing, but even more so in rural areas as younger generations prefer to make a living in the city. In 2023 the average age of a farmer was 68. Consequently, the low level of agricultural output and labor shortages are big issues for Japan’s agriculture sector. In addition, Japan’s food supply is impacted by the effects of climate change and the occurrence of natural disasters, as well as wars or unrest in other countries causing rising prices for energy, raw materials and fertilizers.

Securing future food supplies is one of Japan’s largest societal challenges. Great efforts are put into revitalising and transforming the agriculture sector into a modern, sustainable, resilient and even export-oriented sector. Japan has bold ambitions to achieve carbon neutrality, significantly reduce the use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides, and increase in organic farming, while at the same time boosting agricultural productivity. Digital transformation and green transformation through innovation and technology are expected to deliver on these ambitions.

Dutch expertise

Dutch companies and research institutes are innovative frontrunners in agriculture and horticulture and could support Japan in realising its digital and green transformation. Renewable energy sources, digital technologies such as AI and sensor technologies, and leveraging data contribute to reducing food waste, lowering (energy) costs and increasing efficiency in the production process. Japan, on the other hand, has complementary knowledge and expertise to offer, such as in robotics, 5G/6G technologies, and high-quality food production.

Photo by Jatuphon Buraphon on Pexels

Key regions

Hokkaido is by far the top agricultural production area of Japan, accounting for 15% of total agricultural output in Japan. The focus lies on arable production and livestock. Some 80% of Japan’s potatoes and 50% of its dairy products are produced here. Other important agricultural production areas include Kagoshima, known as leading region for pigs and beef cattle, and Ibaraki for rice, poultry eggs, pigs and sweet potatoes. Yet, when it comes to experimenting with innovative technologies, it happens at universities and research institutes located all over the country. National Agriculture and Food Research Organization (NARO) headquartered in Tsukuba with branch institutes all over the country is the largest agricultural research institution in Japan. Hokkaido University is renowned for innovations in cold-climate agriculture and agricultural robotics and the University of Tokyo for contributions in plant breeding and genetics and sustainable resource-efficient agriculture.

Japan has more than 2000 fishing ports. The top 3 regions in marine fishery output are Hokkaido, Ibaraki and Nagasaki. The Toyosu fish market in Tokyo is the world’s largest market for fresh, frozen and processed seafood.