Japan Agricultural Entities Fall below 1 M. for 1st Time – nippon.com

Report on Japan’s 2025 Agricultural Sector Census and Implications for Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

Executive Summary

A report based on data from Japan’s Ministry of Agriculture, released on November 28, 2025, indicates a significant structural transformation within the nation’s agricultural sector. The total number of agricultural management entities has fallen below one million for the first time, driven by a sharp decline in individual farms and a concurrent rise in corporate entities. This consolidation has direct and substantial implications for Japan’s progress toward several key Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly those concerning food security (SDG 2), economic growth (SDG 8), and sustainable production (SDG 12).

Key Findings from the 2025 Census of Agriculture and Forestry

1. Overall Decline in Management Entities: The total number of agricultural management entities was recorded at 828,000, representing a 23.0% decrease from the 2020 survey.
2. Shift in Entity Composition: A notable divergence in trends was observed between individual and group entities.
   • The number of individual entities declined by 23.9% to 789,000, the lowest figure recorded since comparable data began in 2015.
   • Conversely, group entities, including corporations, increased by 2.9%.
3. Increase in Operational Scale: The trend towards corporatization has facilitated larger-scale operations, resulting in an expansion of the average cultivated land area per entity.

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) Implications

• SDG 2 (Zero Hunger): The consolidation into larger, potentially more efficient corporate farms could bolster productivity and contribute to stable food production. However, the decline of smaller individual farms may impact agricultural biodiversity and the resilience of local food systems, which are critical for achieving sustainable agriculture and ensuring long-term food security.
• SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth): The 23.9% decrease in individual farming entities signals a profound shift in rural employment and economic structures. While corporate farming may introduce new job roles, the decline of family-run farms represents a challenge to traditional rural livelihoods and the economic vitality of these communities.
• SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure): The increase in corporate entities and farm scale aligns with the goal of fostering innovation. Larger operations are often better positioned to invest in modern technology and infrastructure, enhancing efficiency and sustainability in the agricultural industry.
• SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production): The move towards large-scale operations presents a critical juncture for sustainable production patterns. It offers an opportunity to implement resource-efficient technologies on a broad scale but also risks promoting industrial monocultures if not managed with a focus on ecological sustainability.

Analysis of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

• SDG 2: Zero Hunger

  • The article’s core subject is agriculture, specifically the structure of farming operations in Japan. This directly relates to food production systems, agricultural productivity, and the viability of food producers, which are central themes of SDG 2. The data on the declining number of agricultural entities and the shift to larger-scale operations have significant implications for food security and sustainable agriculture.

• SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth

  • The article discusses a major structural shift in an economic sector. The decline of “individual entities” by 23.9% and the rise of “group entities” by 2.9% reflect changes in employment, business ownership, and economic productivity within agriculture. This transformation from small-scale individual management to larger corporate structures is relevant to economic growth patterns and the nature of work in the agricultural industry.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

1. SDG 2: Zero Hunger

   • Target 2.3: By 2030, double the agricultural productivity and incomes of small-scale food producers… The article’s data showing a sharp decline in “individual entities” (from over 1 million in 2020 to 789,000 in 2025) directly pertains to the status of small-scale food producers. The trend described suggests a consolidation away from small-scale farming, which is a key concern of this target.
   • Target 2.4: By 2030, ensure sustainable food production systems and implement resilient agricultural practices… The article highlights a fundamental change in Japan’s food production system, with a move towards “large-scale operations” as “more entities were converted into corporations.” This structural shift is directly related to the goal of ensuring sustainable and resilient agricultural systems.

2. SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth

   • Target 8.2: Achieve higher levels of economic productivity through diversification, technological upgrading and innovation… The article’s observation that “Average cultivated land per entity expanded as more entities were converted into corporations” implies a move towards a model of agriculture that aims for higher economic productivity through scale and consolidation, which is a strategy addressed by this target.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

• For Target 2.3 (small-scale producers):

  • Number of individual agricultural entities: The article provides precise figures, stating that the number of individual entities “fell to 789,000” and “declined 23.9 pct.” This serves as a direct indicator for tracking the prevalence of small-scale producers.
  • Average cultivated land per entity: The article explicitly states that “Average cultivated land per entity expanded.” This is a component of Indicator 2.3.2 (Volume of production per labour unit by classes of farming/pastoral/forestry enterprise size) and can be used to measure the scale of farming operations.

• For Target 2.4 (sustainable food production systems):

  • Total number of agricultural management entities: The article reports that the total number “totaled 828,000 in 2025,” a decrease of “23.0 pct from the previous 2020 survey.” This figure indicates the changing structure of the overall production system.

• For Target 8.2 (economic productivity):

  • Number of group/corporate entities: The article notes that the number of “group entities increased 2.9 pct.” This shift from individual to group/corporate structures is an indicator of economic restructuring within the agricultural sector, often pursued to increase productivity.

4. SDGs, Targets and Indicators

Source: nippon.com