Japanese mayors form alliance to expand organic farming nationwide

Twelve Japanese municipalities, including Kameoka City in Kyoto Prefecture, established the National Mayors’ Association for Organic Villages on 13 June. The group aims to reduce the use of chemical fertilisers and pesticides while building sustainable food systems through the direct leadership of local government heads.

The association understands the critical challenges facing Japanese agriculture, including a declining and ageing farming population, the decay of regional communities, and the increasing frequency of natural disasters linked to climate change. These efforts align with the national Green Food System Strategy, which targets expanding organic farming to 25% of Japan’s total cultivated land by 2050. While more than 150 municipalities have declared themselves “Organic Villages,” many face shared obstacles in expanding market consumption and supporting producers.

During the inaugural general meeting, 82 municipalities joined the network. Mayors from 30 regions attended in person to initiate a network for sharing information and discussing policy directions. A study session focused on the current state of organic producers and the necessity of strengthening links between rural production sites and urban consumer markets.

Takahiro Katsuragawa, Mayor of Kameoka, stated that a long-term perspective is essential for promoting organic agriculture. It is vital for local governments to take the lead and for mayors to collaborate directly. As a founding member, Kameoka City intends to strengthen ties between urban and rural areas to advance organic initiatives across the country.

The association plans to hold a national assembly in Kameoka on 30 October. The event will gather approximately 200 stakeholders, including representatives from Organic Village municipalities and agricultural experts. The programme will feature a lecture from the University of Tokyo and case studies from cities such as Kakegawa, Obu, and Yabu.