Part 1/9:

Japan's Aging Farming Crisis: A Glimpse into the Future

The average age of a Japanese farmer stands at 70, with a stark indication that many are rapidly approaching the age of 80. Alarmingly, only one in five farmers is under the age of 60, illustrating a dramatic decline in the farming population. The landscape of Japanese agriculture is changing, as many farmers lack children to carry on the family legacy. Consequently, the number of farmers in Japan has plummeted from nearly 2.5 million in 2000 to fewer than half that today. By 2039, the remaining farmers will reach an average age of 84 — aligning with the country's life expectancy. If current trends persist, Japan will be on track to deplete its farmer population within 15 years, raising concerns over potential food shortages.