rice growing which has no parallels : (and models) in the Western developed nations. Japanese agriculture has a tradition of being small-scale labour intensive; the reforms introduced after the Second World War have set upper limits on agricultural holdings to prevent a return of landlordism. But thus small plot farming was stabilised; sales

doi:10.4324/9781315019925-57

Chapter

ABSTRACT

Though agricultural incomes are still far below those of other sectors of the economy, these figures do not indicate the real con ditions. Not only does agriculture have lower overhead costs-such as commuting and housing in cities - but family members earn often more from part-time employment than from agriculture. Yet the anomalies of tiny-scale agriculture in the face of growing labour shortage called for some fundamental measures; the government responded so far only piece-meal to those needs.