Farms in Japan are set to undergo radical reform as private companies enter the agricultural sector for the first time.
It is hoped the move will revive Japan’s flagging agricultural industry. Up until now, private companies have been forbidden from owning or renting farmland and instead, the agricultural industry has been made up of thousands of landowning farmers.
Many of the farmers own small plots - as little as one field each, which has limited economic potential.
From September 1, companies are expected to help the industry by buying up big plots of land all over the country and by investing in the technological side of farming.
The Japanese government said it hopes the companies will also encourage young business workers to migrate to the countryside for jobs.
The Ministry of Agriculture has indicated there are already 107 companies registered to enter the sector from the beginning of September, including major food producers Kagome and QP.
