Impacts of Output Price-Support Programs on Postwar Japanese Agriculture 1965–97: A Variable Profit Function Approach

Abstract

One of the primary concerns in Japanese agriculture since the Basic Agricultural Act was enacted in 1961 has been the implementation of more efficient and productive large-scale farming. This concern has received even greater attention because of persistent pressure from foreign countries for liberalizing Japanese markets of agricultural commodities. Accordingly, the transition from small- to large- scale farms has been heavily promoted, and various policy measures have been introduced by the government; revisions of the Farmland Act in 1970 and 1980, launching of the Farmland Utilization Promotion Project in 1975, and the passing of the Farmland Utilization Promotion Act in 1980.