Innovation in the Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Industry and National Land Restoration

ABSTRACT

We are entering a period when the productivity of the entire agriculture, forestry and fisheries industry can be improved from various innovations, so that this industry is not limited to simply producing food or wood products, but it can also be revitalized to supply materials and energy. In particular, material innovation that can use the resin of polystyrene (Styrofoam), which is currently being used to make food containers, as alternative biomass material (such as chaff), or the reuse of disposed biomass containers that have been used as food containers once; these point to the breakthrough potential of the agriculture, forestry and fisheries industry as an integrated industry.

Rapidly increasing consumer demands that "safe", "tasty" and "high nutritional value (on par with the immunity strength of prewar times)" crops be provided stably and at an appropriate price represent a shift in the agriculture, forestry and fisheries industry from a "food industry" to a "healthcare industry". Regional integrated industry clusters that combine agriculture, food, and healthcare industries through system innovations are becoming important.

Innovation in the agriculture, forestry and fisheries industry that will make full use of Japan’s abundant domestically-produced natural resources can raise the self-sufficiency ratios in food, energy, and wood products. It can also lead to job creation in the industry and regional revitalization, while helping to care for Japan’s land which continues to be devastated; in this way, it would contribute to national land restoration strategies as well