Organic Agriculture in Japan : Networks and Solidarity (Research Note)
The development of organic agriculture in Japan occurred mainly through producer-consumer networks (teikei), based on direct links between the two, in reaction to serious problems of food contamination. These networks were put in place in the 60s, in the context of the surge of various popular movements trying to find solutions to different problems (housing, pollution, etc.). Since then, other distribution channels have been established, mainly after the Japanese government’s efforts to standardize the quality of products according to international norms. This has weakened the networks and diminished the social impact of this experience, but the teikei are still there and remain the main distribution channel for organic agricultural products.