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Japan Faces Agricultural Crisis Amid Farmland Decline and Aging Workforce

11/12/2025

33 7 Full Breakdown

Summary

Story summary

Japan's farmland declined to 4.3 million hectares in 2024, a 30% drop since 1961.
The core agricultural workforce declined to 1.1 million in 2024, with an average age of 69.2 years.
In 2025, Japan increased rice planting by 6,000 hectares to total 1.52 million hectares in response to rising rice prices.
Even so, 2025's 1.52 million hectares represent only 70% of the area cultivated in 1995, underscoring ongoing self-sufficiency challenges.

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Story summary

Japan's farmland declined to 4.3 million hectares in 2024, a 30% drop since 1961.
The core agricultural workforce declined to 1.1 million in 2024, with an average age of 69.2 years.
In 2025, Japan increased rice planting by 6,000 hectares to total 1.52 million hectares in response to rising rice prices.
Even so, 2025's 1.52 million hectares represent only 70% of the area cultivated in 1995, underscoring ongoing self-sufficiency challenges.