Catharina Klein
Research expert covering Japan
Organic farming in Japan - statistics & facts
Environmental awareness keeps rising, influencing the agricultural sector and the expansion of organic farming practices worldwide. In recent years, the production volume of certified organic cultivation in Japan increased significantly, indicating a growing awareness of sustainable farming methods among the population. Furthermore, according to a survey, many Japanese people pay attention to whether bought agricultural products were cultivated with chemical fertilizers and are concerned about its negative impacts on their health and the environment.
In 2000, the Japanese Ministry for Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries (MAFF) established the Act of Japanese Agricultural Standards (JAS), certifying organic farmland, organic plants, and organic plant-based processed foods. From 2020, the JAS logo also verifies organic livestock and animal-derived processed products, which follow the official sustainable production, processing, labeling, and marketing guidelines. The JAS certification guarantees climate and environment protection, preservation of biodiversity, conservation of soil fertility, absence of chemical fertilizers, as well as transparent labeling for consumers, among other factors.
Organic farming is still a minor industry within the agricultural sector in Japan. The hot and humid climate during summer poses challenges to sustainable agriculture. The rainy season in early summer brings heavy rain and floods, which wash away the soil and slow down root growth. The extreme heat of summer then accelerates weed growth and insect propagation. Chemical fertilizers are often used to counteract this, but they damage the soil and must not be used in agriculture for produce to be considered organic.
Imported organic certified foods are eligible for the Japanese grading labels and can be distributed within the domestic market under the Organic JAS system. Nevertheless, the demand within domestic food-related industries remains low. High prices, unsteady supply volumes, and low consumer demands are significant challenges named by Japanese food wholesale businesses.
Sustainable farming and its challenges in Japan
As the production volume of organic cultivation increased, the area of certified organic farmland grew accordingly. Vegetables and rice were the organic produce with the highest production volume. Regarding organic livestock products, raw milk constituted the highest production volume, followed by eggs.Organic farming is still a minor industry within the agricultural sector in Japan. The hot and humid climate during summer poses challenges to sustainable agriculture. The rainy season in early summer brings heavy rain and floods, which wash away the soil and slow down root growth. The extreme heat of summer then accelerates weed growth and insect propagation. Chemical fertilizers are often used to counteract this, but they damage the soil and must not be used in agriculture for produce to be considered organic.
The share of organic produce remains low
Although the first regulations for organic produce in Japan were implemented over two decades ago, the share of organic vegetables in the agriculture sector remains low at under one percent of the total vegetable production.Imported organic certified foods are eligible for the Japanese grading labels and can be distributed within the domestic market under the Organic JAS system. Nevertheless, the demand within domestic food-related industries remains low. High prices, unsteady supply volumes, and low consumer demands are significant challenges named by Japanese food wholesale businesses.
