Becoming a Farmer in Contemporary Japan

Abstract

feedback, encouragement, and continuous support allowed me to embark on this journey and complete my thesis. I would like to thank all the participants to this study, who shared with me their stories and insights. A special thanks goes to Funada san and the folks at JA Ueda Farm. I wish you all success with your farming careers. My deepest gratitude goes to Kazu san and his family, who welcomed me in their house and made bento for me every day. I would like to thank Professors Motoki Akitsu and Yoichiro Aikawa for helping me with fieldwork in Japan. I would also like to thank the ESRC, the Sasakawa foundation, and the Japan Foundation Endowment Committee for supporting this study and allowing me to complete my DPhil. Last but not least, I would like to thank my mother and Haruka for their love and support.Chapter 4. Accessing land and housing: property, abandonment, and Japan's land crisis Chapter 5. Acquiring farming know-how: quality, labour, and enskilment Chapter 6. Accessing capital: subsidies for small and big farms Chapter 7. Accessing markets: marketing, food distribution, and price formation Conclusions Bibliography liveable (sumi-yasui) town in the prefecture by Toyo Keizai in 2015. Among its strengths, as emphasised by the city website, Tōmi features sunny weather, low snowfall in the winter, easy access to Tokyo (90 minutes by train), and availability of childcare facilities. 15 As discussed in Chapter 2, these are all features greatly appreciated by urban-rural migrants. The local I-turn promotion office is well organised and active. 16 A new entry farmer from Osaka told me that she decided to come to Tōmi because, unlike other municipalities she had visited, employees at the city hall were very helpful and motivated. Tōmi also features various tourist attractions. From the train station, visitors can easily reach Unno Juku, a post station established in 1625 on the old Hokkoku Kaido. The street counts 203 well-preserved historical buildings conserving their unique Edo period atmosphere. On top of the mountain, Yunomaru heights allows convenient half-day hikes. From mid-June to early July 600,000 blooming stocks of Japanese azalea offer a unique sight. The city also counts several hot springs, sports facilities, and a small ski ground. It also hosts many festivals throughout the year, including outdoor kabuki performances and a wine festival.Tōmi-shi.Tōmi is a small mountain municipality that saw a moderate, yet steady urban development even after the 2000s. Major streets are crowded with gas stations, restaurant chains, home centers, 15 Five kindergarten, five elementary schools, two junior high schools, one high school. 16 'I-Turn' is an expression indicating urban-to-rural migration (details in Chapter 2). 20 convenience stores, supermarkets, and pachinko. Electricity pylons rise between them, with cables and electric wires hanging along the streets. Between major broadways and the constant flow of cars and trucks, there is a web of streets and narrow alleys, often only drivable by one car at o...