Agricultural Workers in Japan

Over the last decade, the agricultural work environment has undergone significant changes regarding types of employment contracts and working conditions. Since the revision of the Agricultural Land Act in 2009, it has become possible for inexperienced companies to enter the field of agriculture. As the structure of the agricultural industry in Japan changes, the issue of occupational health is receiving increasing attention among Japanese agricultural employees. Because almost all Japanese farmers have been self-employed for decades, the regulation of occupational safety and health for agricultural workers has not specialized in agricultural worker management. This paper discusses issues pertaining to agricultural workers’ occupational safety and health that are now arising along with such social changes.