Historical Analysis of the Impact of Postwar Agricultural Policy on Japanese Peasants

This chapter examines the impact of postwar agricultural policy on peasants, focusing on extension services for agricultural improvement in Shimane Prefecture. It clarifies the dynamics of the landlord system and the impact of land reform on peasants. In addition, it examines the policy and actual implementation of extension services for agricultural enhancement, along with their effects on farmers. Furthermore, the effect of postwar agricultural policies on Japanese peasants is reviewed. Our findings are as follows: First, tenant farmers struggled to survive under the landlord system. In particular, subordinate tenant farmers such as the kabukosaku endured hard lives. In the postwar period, land reform was implemented throughout Japan, and many tenant farmers became entitled to own their farmlands. Second, the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry’s (MAF) ideas of extension services were to improve agriculture, raise “independent farmers,” and achieve rural democratization. Shimane Prefecture accepted the MAF’s ideas, and agricultural extension workers conveyed the instructions and details of the services to farmers, based on the prefecture’s policies. After receiving the instructions and explanations, the farmers formed farmers’ groups or 4H clubs and conducted various activities. Finally, postwar agricultural policies improved both the technical and psychological aspects of farmers’ lives.