This book seeks to explain the changes in agriculture, peasantry, rural farm villages and the food security issue in Japan, linking these with the development of the capitalist economy during the 150 year period from 1850 to 2000. Around 1850, Japan embarked on the march to "Modernization' which would propel its capitalist economy linking it to the world markets. 2000 represents the time when Japan had already achieved a high level of industrial development reaching the level of an 'economic Superpower'. The entire period can be divided into two sub-periods. The first one called the 'pre-war Period' , is from the time Japan began to modernize till its defeat in the pacific War in 1945. Japan which was an agricultural nation became militaristic and aggressive under the influence of the Emperor System and made rapid industrial and economic progress. Agriculture which occupied a large share of the economy contributed a great deal to industrialization. The second, called the 'Post -war Period', is when Japan made rapid economic and political (diplomatic) structures built by the post-war reforms. In this period, after the land reforms Japan posted rapid economic progress based on the heavy and chemical industry development aided by considerable support from agriculture. However ensuring food security became a major problem. While the history of agriculture and the food problem for the 150 years that is covered in this book will be of much use to the rapidly growing developing economies of the world, there are enough pointers for the developed countries as well. This is an invaluable work for scholars of Agrarian History.
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