Silviase/jgov_v1.4_full_ann huggingface dataset:
② “Mizuhochikara,” a high-yielding rice cultivar suitable for rice-based bread, has been developed along with “Momiroman” and “Hokuriku 193,” high-yielding rice cultivars suitable for feed rice and WCS (Whole Crop Silage) rice. Expectations are high for their future diffusion.

## (Baking property of “Mizuhochikara” rice cultivar for rice flour)

“Mizuhochikara”

Source: MAFF

“Akimasari” as a staple rice cultivar

### Note: The volume ratio is the ratio of bread volume to dough volume. A larger ratio indicates a lighter texture

Source: MAFF

## [Direction of policy measures as indicated by the basic plan]

- The wheat production volume target is set at 1.8 million tons. To achieve the target, such challenges as ①the expansion of wheat production for bread/Chinese noodles and ②the diffusion of double cropping for paddy fields through the cultivation of good-quality late maturing paddy rice varieties will have to be solved.

### ① While the wheat-planted area increased slightly from 2008, production volume declined under bad weather conditions. The crop acreage for wheat for bread and Chinese noodles has increased gradually thanks to the development of new varieties

(Wheat production volume trends)

2008	2009	2010	2011	2020 (target)
Production volume	(10,000 tons)	88.1	67.4	57.1	74.6	180
Crop acreage	(10,000 hectares)	20.9	20.8	20.7	21.2

Source: MAFF, “Crop Statistics”

(Trends of crop acreage for wheat for bread/Chinese noodles)

[Direction of policy measures as indicated by the basic plan] - The soybean production volume target is set at 600,000 tons. To achieve the target, such challenges as ① organized aggregative farming of paddy fields and ② the diffusion of cultivation technologies contributing to improving and stabilizing unit yields will have to be solved.
① The soybean-planted area declined in Miyagi Prefecture (by 1,380 hectares) and Fukushima Prefecture (by 780 hectares) due to the Great East Japan Earthquake.
② The area expanded for the introduction of “the soybean 300A technology” and similar soybean technologies contributing to improving unit yields and stabilizing quality.

(Soybean production volume trends)

2008	2009	2010	2011	2020 (target)
Production volume	(10,000 tons)	26.2	23.0	22.3	22.0	60
Crop acreage	(10,000 hectares)	14.7	14.5	13.8	13.7

Source: MAFF, “Crop Statistics”

(Area for introduction of Soybean 300A Technology, etc.)

Sources: MAFF
[Direction of policy measures as indicated by the basic plan]
- Targets are set to increase production volume for buckwheat, rapeseeds, feed crops, etc.
- For sugar beets, such challenges as the establishment of efficient production systems including direct seeding will have to be solved.
- For sugar cane, such challenges as the development of work contractor and joint production organizations will have to be solved.
- For feed crops, such challenges as the development of feed production organizations will have to be solved.
- For fruits, such challenges as the acceleration of switching to higher-quality species or varieties will have to be solved.

① Buckwheat production volume increased from 2008 thanks to the introduction of the Income Support Direct Payment Program for Farmers. Rapeseed production volume also expanded.

② Among feed crops, the crop acreage for rice for feed increased. However, production volume fell on unseasonable weather conditions including heat waves.

③ Efforts to solve challenges are promoted for major crops:

1) Share for direct seeding for sugar beet production: 8% (2008 crop) → 12% (2010 crop)

2) Share for work contractors among sugar cane producers: 40% (2008 crop) → 88% (2010 crop)

3) Number of work contractor farms for feed crops: 1,657 (2005) → 3,128 (2010)

4) Area for switching to higher-quality fruit species or varieties: 965 ha (FY2008) → 2,110 ha (FY2010)

(Production volume trends for other major crops)

2008	2009	2010	2011	2020 (target)
Buckwheat (10,000 tons)	2.7	1.7	3.0	3.2	5.9
Rapeseeds (10,000 tons)	0.1	-	0.2	0.2	1.0
Potatoes (10,000 tons)	274.3	245.9	229.0	(234.6)	290
Sweet potatoes (10,000 tons)	101.1	102.6	86.4	88.6	103
Sugar beets (10,000 tons)	424.8	364.9	309.0	354.7	380
Sugarcanes (10,000 tons)	159.8	151.5	146.9	-	161
Vegetables (10,000 tons)	1,255	1,234	1,173	-	1,308
Fruits (10,000 tons)	344	338	294	-	340
Feed crops (10,000 TDNt)	435.6	418.8	419.0	-	527
Milk (10,000 tons)	794.6	788.1	763.1	-	800
Beef (10,000 tons)	51.8	51.6	51.2	-	52
Pork (10,000 tons)	126.0	131.8	127.6	-	126
Chicken (10,000 tons)	139.5	141.3	141.7	-	138
Eggs (10,000 tons)	253.5	250.8	251.5	-	245

Sources: MAFF, “Crop Statistics” and “Food Balance Sheet”

(Accumulated area for switching to higher-quality fruit species or varieties)

Sources: MAFF, “Statistics on Cultivated Area and Planted Area,” MAFF surveys

Note: The area for switching means the area for plans approved under the orchard management support project.
Chapter 2: Securing stable food supply

(1) Securing food safety and consumer confidence

[Direction of policy measures as indicated by the basic plan]
- Promoting policy measures for food safety improvement backed by scientific knowledge and introduction of the Good Agricultural Practice and the Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP) based on the concept that “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure,”
- Promoting traceability efforts, expanding of the origin labeling requirement for materials of processed food products steadily, etc.
- Implementing appropriate risk management and control measures to enhance import quarantine, domestic control and epidemic prevention measures
① It is important for improving food safety to take appropriate measures in each step from primary production to final consumption based on the concept that “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure”. MAFF makes risk management decisions based on scientific evidence.

(Actions for ensuring food safety throughout the food chain)

Preparing and disseminating food safety improvement guidelines

- Guidelines for reducing cadmium concentration in rice (August 2011)

- Guidelines for management to prevent fungal contamination of rice (February 2012)

- Guidelines for vegetable sanitary control from the cultivation to shipment stages (June 2011)

- Handbooks of good sanitary practices to prevent introduction and transmission of foodborne pathogenic bacteria in beef farms and chicken farms (August 2011)

- A manual for treating meat for raw consumption (Prepared in July 2011, revised in February 2012)

② By FY2010, 19% of food manufacturers introduced the HACCP. In the future, efforts are required to promote the HACCP introduction among small and medium-sized companies.

(HACCP introduction trends by food sales scale)

③ A steady increase has been seen in the number of agricultural production locations that have adopted the GAP, which contribute to food safety improvement.

(Trends of GAP introducing agricultural production locations)

Note: GAP stands for Good Agricultural Practices. GAP are sustainable improvement activities through the accurate implementation, recording, inspection and assessment of each process in agricultural production operations in line with check lists worked out according to relevant laws.
④ In efforts to promote the traceability of rice and rice products, business entities have been required to prepare and keep transaction records since October 2010 and to relay place of origin information of rice ingredients of covered products since July 2011.

(Outline of rice traceability)

Source: MAFF

⑤ Origin labeling for materials of processed food products under the JAS (Japanese Agricultural Standards) Law has increased steadily. In March 2011, two food categories were subjected to the origin labeling requirement. At present, the requirement covers 22 processed food categories and four processed food products including farm pickles.

(Changes in products subject to origin labeling)

requirement for materials of processed food products)

⑥ Given that a Foot and Mouth disease (FMD) outbreak in Miyazaki Prefecture in 2010 and a Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza epidemic from 2011 affected the livestock industry and the economy, the Act on Domestic Animal Infectious Diseases Control was revised in April 2011.

⑦ Over the recent years, FMD outbreaks have continuously occurred in neighboring Asian countries such as China and South Korea. In response to such developments, MAFF has disinfected shoe soles of all visitors from abroad and vehicles and used quarantine detector dogs for enhanced baggage inspection at airports and seaports.

(Foot and Mouth Disease outbreaks in the world (as of April 1, 2011))

Source: MAFF

Note: The above non-FMD-free countries include those that have OIE-identified free regions where FMD vaccination is not practiced and those that have OIE-identified free regions where FMD vaccination is practiced.
## (2) Food consumption trends and promotion of food education

[Direction of policy measures as indicated by the basic plan] - Continuing to promote food education

① The Engel’s coefficient in Japan has leveled off at around 23% since 1995 after declining consistently from the end of the war. The leveling-off has come as food consumption has declined in line with a fall in overall household consumption spending.

② Five income groups’ spending on rice indicates that rice spending has declined for higher-income groups since 1985 and that there was little rice spending gap between the groups in 2011.

Source: Prepared by MAFF based on “Family Income and Expenditure Survey” by the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications

<1> Two-or-more-member families. Agriculture-forestry-fisheries families are excluded for 1999 and earlier years.

<2> The five income groups mean that all families are lined up in the order of income from the lowest income families and divided equally into five groups.

③ The government put forward the Second Basic Plan for Promotion of Shokuiku (food education) in March 2011. Priority challenges cited in the plan are lifetime Shokuiku, Shokuiku for prevention and improvement of lifestyle diseases, and Shokuiku for children through eating with family.

(Shokuiku promotion numerical targets and present levels in the Second Basic Plan for Promotion of Shokuiku (excerpts))

Target item	Present level	Target for 2015
1. Share for people interested in Shokuiku	70.5%	90% or more
2. Reducing share for breakfast-skipping people	(men in their 20's and 30's)	28.7%	15% or more
3. Share for local products used in school lunches	26.1%	30% or more
4. Increasing share for people with eating habits giving consideration to nutritional balance	50.2%	60% or more
5. Increasing share for people experiencing agriculture-forestry-fisheries operations	27.0%	30% or more
6. Increasing share for people with basic knowledge about food safety	37.4%	90% or more

Source: Prepared by MAFF based on the Cabinet Office’s Second Basic Plan for Promotion of Shokuiku
## (3) Actions for developing food industry

[Direction of policy measures as indicated by the basic plan]

- Given the requirement for environmental considerations, enterprises should promote the reduction of food waste and greenhouse gas emissions to fulfill their social responsibility.

- Food manufacturers and distributors should promote production and sales in Asian and other foreign countries to enhance their overseas business bases.

- “Food Industry Vision of the Future” will be established within FY2010, in which the proper form and future direction of food industries will be set out.

① The food industry has stepped up environmental conservation efforts. In FY2009, the industry recycled 80% of food waste for such purposes as feed and fertilizer production.

(Estimated rate for recycling of recyclable food waste)

② The number of Japanese food manufactures in Asia has increased year by year in line with the global expansion and diversification of food consumption.

FY2008	FY2009	FY2012 (Target)
100 tons or more	Less than 100 tons
Food manufacturers	93	93	94	40	85
Food wholesalers	59	58	64	44	70
Food retailers	37	36	38	26	45
Restaurants	13	16	34	9	40
Food industry total	79	81	-	-	-

Source: MAFF

(Changes in number of Japanese food manufacturers in Asian countries)

Source: Prepared by MAFF based on the Survey on Overseas Business Activities by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry

Notes: 1) NIEs 3 includes 3 countries/regions: Singapore, Taiwan and Korea.

2) ASEAN 4 includes 4 countries: Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia and Philippines.

③ The food industry’s diffusion index (DI*) in the first half of 2011 declined from the year-before level due to the impact of the Great East Japan Earthquake. In the second half, however, the index indicated an improvement.

④ “Food Industry Vision of the Future” was established in March 2012, in which the proper form and future direction of food industries was set out.

$ ^{*} $ The DI is a gap between the percentage shares for enterprises expecting an increase (improvement) and those anticipating a decline (deterioration)

(Changes in Food industry DI)

Source:JFC, “Food Industry Trend Survey”

Notes:

1) The business condition DI represents an average of sales, current profit and cash flow DI$s$.

2) The survey covered food related enterprises (manufacturers, wholesalers, retailers and restaurants) throughout Japan.

(Food related industries market sizes in 2020)

Source: Prepared by MAFF based on MAFF's "Economic Accounts for Agriculture and Food related Industries," etc.
(4) Establishing comprehensive food security

[Direction of policy measures as indicated by the basic plan] - Establishing comprehensive food security - Efforts to realize an emergency rice reserve arrangement for ASEAN+3 (ASEAN, Japan, China and South Korea)
① International grain and soybean prices rose again from 2010 and on. Grain production in 2011/2012 reached a record level exceeding demand. However, the inventory-sales ratio at the end of the season is expected to slip below the year-before level, indicating a tighter supply-demand balance for grains.

Sources: Prepared by MAFF based on data from the Chicago Board of Trade and the Rice Committee, Board of Trade of Thailand

Note: One bushel is equivalent to 27.2155 kg of soybeans and wheat, and 25.4012 kg of corn.

② Given the Great East Japan Earthquake, we will consider various risks regarding stable food supply and revise the food security manual by the summer of 2012.

③ In October 2011, Japan signed the ASEAN Plus Three Emergency Rice Reserve (APTERR) Agreement.

Source: MAFF
Chapter 3: Sustainable development of agriculture

[Direction of policy measures as indicated by the basic plan] - Agriculture plays key roles for citizens’ livelihood, including the stable provision of food and the demonstration of multiple functions. Agriculture can play these roles only if it maintains sustainability as an industry. The Income Support Direct Payment Program for Farmers has been introduced to secure sustainability and create an environment where all motivated farmers can continue agriculture and tackle their business development.
① Based on the implementation of the Pilot Income Support Direct Payment Program in FY2010, we formally implemented the Income Support Direct Payment Program for Farmers from FY2011. ② The number of participants under the program in FY2011 increased by 55,000 from the number under the pilot program in the previous year to 1,218,000.

(Number of participants under the Income Support Direct Payment Program for Farmers by farm category)

Number of participants	Farm category
Independent farms	Incorporated farms	Community-based farm cooperatives
FY2011	1,218,237	1,203,367	7,254	7,616
FY2010	1,163,090	1,149,505	6,187	7,398
Change vs. previous year (growth rate)	55,147(4.7%)	53,862(4.7%)	1,067(17.2%)	218(2.9%)

Source: MAFF

③ The planned crop acreage size for income support direct payment participants for rice farming in FY2011 increased by 25,000 hectares from the previous year to 1,152,000 hectares. The excessive rice planted area compared with the target volume of rice production declined by 19,000 hectares to 22,000 hectares.

(Planted area for income support direct payment participants for rice farming)

Unit: hectares

Participants' planned crop acreage size	Staple rice planted area (nationwide)	Target volume of rice production calculated area	Excessive rice planted area compared with the target volume of rice production
FY2011	1,151,545	1,526,000	1,503,864	22,136
FY2010	1,127,040	1,580,000	1,538,697	41,303
Change vs. previous year	24,505	-54,000	-34,833	-19,167

Source: MAFF
④ The implementation of the Income Support Direct Payment Program for Farmers has made some contributions to improving farming business performance, promoting the adjustment of rice supply and expanding production of rice for new uses.

Source: MAFF

Note: Business management costs cover material procurement, interest payment, land rent and employment costs for rice production.

(Trends of excessive rice planted area compared with the target volume of rice production)

Source: MAFF

(Trends of planted area for rice for new uses)
(2) Income expansion through sixth industry promotion (collaboration of primary, secondary and tertiary industries), etc.

[Direction of policy measures as indicated by the basic plan]

Note: The term “sixth industry” is derived by multiplying the industrial sectors as follows. First (primary) × second (secondary) × third (tertiary) to come up with the “sixth industry.” The sixth industry is expected to synergistically create new added-value through effective use of agricultural, forestry and fishery products, as well as land, water and other resources in farming, mountain and fishing villages, by integrating production, processing and distribution activities.

## ① Commercial farm households that undertake farm product processing and other related business of agricultural production doubled their share of Japan’s total commercial farm households between FY2000 and FY2010

(Changes in Number of commercial farm households undertaking related business of agricultural production)

(10,000 Households, %)

Number of commercial farm households	Number of commercial farm households undertaking related business of agricultural production
Processing of agricultural products	Direct sales to stores and consumers
2000	233.7 (100.0)	25.3 (10.8)	2.0 (0.9)	8.4 (3.6)
2005	196.3 (100.0)	34.5 (17.6)	2.2 (1.1)	32.4 (16.5)
2010	163.1 (100.0)	34.2 (21.0)	3.2 (2.0)	32.1 (19.7)

Source: MAFF, “Census of Agriculture and Forestry”
② Sixth industry promotion efforts (collaboration of primary, secondary and tertiary industries) may take some years to get on a profitable path (surplus).

③ Challenges for such collaboration include the development of product brands and the acquisition of relevant personnel.

(Years taken to produce profit (by farming category))

Category	Average number of years in operation	Number of years taken to produce profit
Average	Minimum	Maximum
All categories	13.5	4.1	0.0	25.0
Rice farming	8.4	4.4	1.0	15.0
Vegetable farming	10.8	2.2	0.0	9.0
Pig farming	16.2	8.8	2.0	25.0
Dairy farming	16.7	1.8	0.0	3.0
Orchard farming	18.9	4.5	0.0	15.0

(Key challenges conceived for cooperation of primary, secondary and tertiary industries)

Source: JFC, “Survey on Collaboration of Primary, Secondary and Tertiary Industries” (released in December 2011)

④ Most farmers running tourist farms and farm restaurants undertake direct sales and processing of agricultural products integrally. Farmers running tourist farms and farm restaurants have a stronger sense of income growth than those doing other businesses for collaboration of primary, secondary and tertiary industries.

(Changes in farmers’ income through collaboration with primary, secondary and tertiary industries)

Source: MAFF, “Survey on Consciousness and Intentions about Food, Agriculture and Rural Areas, and Fisheries and Fishery Products” (Conducted in January-February 2012)

⑤ Under the sixth industry promotion (collaboration of primary, secondary and tertiary industries) act implemented in March 2011, 709 business plans have been approved. The sixth industry’s planners have been distributed throughout Japan.

(Number of business plans approved under the sixth industry promotion act by region)

Source: MAFF

⑥ Agriculture-forestry-fisheries and food products exports in 2011 declined substantially from the previous year due mainly to the TEPCO Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant accident and the yen’s appreciation.

(Trends of agriculture-forestry-fisheries and food products exports)

Source: Prepared by MAFF, based on Ministry of Finance, “Trade Statistics”
## (3) Promoting motivated, diversified farmers' business management

[Direction of policy measures as indicated by the basic plan]

- Raising and securing motivated, diversified farmers

① Farms’ average agricultural income increased from 1.04 million yen in 2009 to 1.22 million yen in 2010 after continuing a downward trend. Particularly, paddy farms’ agricultural income in 2010 expanded 37% from the previous year affected by subsidies provided under the Pilot Income Support Direct Payment Program for rice farmers, despite rice price drops.

(Agricultural income trends)

Source: MAFF, “Statistical Survey on Farm Management – Statistics by Farm Category (independent farms)”

(Agricultural income trends (rice farming))

Source: MAFF, “Statistical Survey on Farm Management – Statistics by Farming Category (independent farms)”

(Rice farmers’ agricultural income (by planted area group))

Source: MAFF, “Statistical Survey on Farm Management – Statistics by Farming Category (independent farms)”
② The number of community-based farm cooperatives has increased year by year, standing at 15,000 as of February 2012.

(Changes in community-based farm cooperatives by farming region)

Source: MAFF, “Survey on Community-Based Farm Cooperatives”

③ The number of agriculture production legal persons has also increased year by year, standing at 12,000 in 2011.

(Changes in agriculture production legal persons by farming

Source: MAFF

④ It is important to raise and secure new farmers. Challenges include how to secure income and improve skills. The farming grant system for young farmers started in FY2012.

(Business management problems for new entrants into agriculture in first or second year (biggest problem))

Source: National Chamber of Agriculture, “Fact-finding Survey on New Entrants into Agriculture”

(Changes in new farmers)

2006	2007	2008	2009	2010
New self-employed farmers	72,350	64,420	49,640	57,400	44,800
39-year-old or younger persons	10,310	9,640	8,320	9,310	7,660
New employed farmers	6,510	7,290	8,400	7,570	8,040
39-year-old or younger persons	3,730	4,140	5,530	5,100	4,850
New participants in farming	2,180	1,750	1,960	1,850 (1,680)	1,730
39-year-old or younger persons	700	560	580	620 (580)	640
Total new farmers	81,030	73,460	60,000	66,820	54,570
39-year-old or younger persons	14,740	14,340	14,430	15,030	13,150

Source: MAFF, “Survey on Newcomers in agriculture”