Agriculture in Japan

Japan's land has unique qualities that make it appropriate for growing organic food. As a result, during
the past 2,000 years, agriculture has served as the foundation for the majority of economic activity.
Japan was historically mostly an agricultural nation, but following the Second World War, its economy
grew amazingly quickly, and the nation now has a strongly industrialized culture. The traditional
Japanese diet, which consists mostly of rice with some other items including other grains, vegetables,
mountain plants, fish, and other marine products, has been disappearing. Instead, they have been
spending astronomical sums of money to include dishes rich in Western proteins from all over the world
in their diet. While the daily intake of nourishing meals like meat, milk, and other dairy items has grown
noticeably over the past 40 years, rice consumption has declined significantly in same period. As a result,
there is a strong demand for upscale foods.

With a $15.6 billion export value, Japan was the fourth-largest single market for American agricultural
goods in 2021. With a 24 percent import share, the United States leads the pack of countries supplying
food and agricultural goods to Japan, followed by the European Union, China, Australia, and Thailand.
With a total export value of $5 billion for beef, pork, and corn, Japan is the United States' second-largest
market behind China. After the U.S.-Japan Trade Agreement (USJTA) went into effect on January 1, 2020,
almost 90% of American food and agricultural goods are either duty-free or have privileged access to the
market.

https://link.springer.com/referenceworkentry/10.1007/978-1-4020-4425-0_8413

https://www.trade.gov/country-commercial-guides/japan-agricultural-sector
 Education in Japan

The Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT) of Japan oversees education
in the country. The majority of students attend public schools through the lower secondary level,
however private education is common at the upper secondary and university levels. Education is
required at the elementary and lower secondary levels. In kindergartens and daycare facilities,
instruction is conducted prior to the primary level. Programs for kids ages 3-5 are similar to those at
kindergartens. The pedagogical philosophy utilized in kindergartens varies widely, ranging from
unstructured settings that place a strong emphasis on play to intensely organized settings that are
geared toward helping the kid pass the admission exam for a private elementary school. The academic
year begins in April and concludes in March, with summer and winter breaks occurring in August and
late December to early January, respectively.

The primary educational institutions in Japan are six-year elementary schools, three-year junior high
schools, and three-year high schools, which are followed by two- or three-year junior colleges or four-
year colleges. Elementary and junior high school students must complete 9 years of mandatory
education. School exchanges are mostly done in junior high and high schools while on an educational
tour of Japan. There is a system called "Special Needs Education" that supports students with special
needs to increase their independence and, as a result, improves their social involvement. This system is
for kids who are physically or intellectually challenged.

https://education.jnto.go.jp/en/school-in-japan/japanese-education-system/#:~:text=The%20Japanese
%20school%20system%20primarily,elementary%20and%20junior%20high%20school.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Education_in_Japan