#Japan #Tokyo #Japan Agriculture #Agricultural Policy #Glocal Seminar

Overview of the Seminar

The ZESDA NPO (President: Daisuke Sakuraba, Located in Chuo Ward, Tokyo) is set to host the "Glocal Business Seminar vol.33" on January 10, 2026. This event will feature esteemed guests including Kenichi Noguchi, Managing Director of Noguchi Farm and folklorist, Ryoko Yamaguchi, CEO of Uro and journalist, and Shinnosuke Kubota, non-fiction writer. The central theme of the seminar will be "Why is Japan's Agriculture Not Growing?" and will be explored through a symposium format. The host will be Daisuke Yokote from Shinchosha’s Shincho Shinsho editorial department, with overall moderation by Professor Masayuki Okuyama from Meiji University’s Faculty of Political Science and Economics.

Why is Japan's Agriculture Struggling?

Despite the availability of technology and human resources, Japan’s agricultural potential is not being fully exploited due to systemic issues and traditional practices. This shared concern highlights significant questions about the agricultural policies shaping the industry, particularly in the rice sector, where protective measures and price stability mechanisms have deeply influenced producer behavior and business decisions. Critics argue that Japan’s rice farming faces various constraints in its engagement with the global market.

Kenichi Noguchi and Ryoko Yamaguchi analyze these agricultural policies and changes to the industrial structure in their recent book, Who is Killing Agriculture? (Shincho Shinsho, December 2022). They provide a multifaceted breakdown of the factors hindering growth in the agricultural sector. Yamaguchi’s forthcoming book, The Crumbling Rice Market (Shincho Shinsho, September 2025), explores policy challenges through the lens of the recent rice turmoil, illustrating issues surrounding the relationship between the market and policy implementation.

On the other hand, Kenichi Noguchi, as both an agricultural corporate officer and folklorist, offers insights in Tax-Free Rice Will Bring Dawn to Japanese Agriculture (Shincho Shinsho, December 2025). He emphasizes understanding the "soft elements" of farming—the practical and embodied knowledge held by farmers—and repositions Japanese agriculture as a growth industry.

The forum aims to address how Japan's agriculture can achieve sustainable growth while keeping a global market perspective, using rice as an entry point for discussion. It will provide a platform to critically examine the structures and policies that have been identified as obstacles to growth, whilst also crafting visions for future agricultural development. This will facilitate exploring long-term strategic models that connect local agricultural practices with international markets.

The planning and coordination will be led by Daisuke Yokote, who has worked on the collaborative works of Kubota and Yamaguchi. This seminar aspires to conduct an open dialogue on Japan’s agricultural "growth strategy" by merging different perspectives and realities from both ideologies and practical fields. A shift from conserving agriculture to fostering its growth potential is crucial for making Japanese agriculture shine on the world stage.

Event Details:

• - Title: Glocal Business Seminar vol.33: Why is Japan's Agriculture Not Growing?
• - Speakers:

- Kenichi Noguchi (Director of Noguchi Farm/Folklorist)
- Ryoko Yamaguchi (Journalist/CEO, Uro)
- Shinnosuke Kubota (Non-Fiction Writer)
- Daisuke Yokote (Shinchosha Shincho Shinsho Editorial Department)
- Prof. Masayuki Okuyama (Meiji University, Faculty of Political Science and Economics)

• - Date: January 10, 2026 (Saturday) 13:00-15:00 (Venue opens at 12:30, online attendees can join from 12:55)
• - Format: Hybrid (In-person and online Zoom session)

- In-person Venue: Liberty Tower Room 1073, Meiji University, Surugadai Campus, 1-1 Kanda Surugadai, Chiyoda, Tokyo
- Online: ZOOM (Link will be sent after registration)

• - Participation Fee: Free
• - Registration Link: ZESDA Registration

Please double-check your email address while registering. A recorded video of the seminar will be provided one week later to those who register.

• - Inquiries: Please contact through the ZESDA website's "Inquiry" section.
• - Organizers: NPO ZESDA & Professor Masayuki Okuyama’s research lab, Meiji University
• - Co-organizers: Research and Innovation Society Production Research Subcommittee
• - Support: Shinchosha Shincho Editorial Department

Networking Event Notification

A networking event will take place following the seminar. This will provide an opportunity for attendees to ask questions of the speakers and engage with one another. We hope you can join us!

• - Venue: Cafe Pance (1-3-3 Kanda Surugadai, Chiyoda, Tokyo)
• - Time: January 10, 2026 (Saturday) 16:00-18:00
• - Fee: 2,500 yen (tax included)

After registration, a payment link will be sent to your email.

By attending this seminar, you’ll gain insights into present-day challenges faced by Japan's agricultural sector and engage in meaningful discussions aimed at paving the way towards its revitalization and growth.