CURRENT SITUATIONS AND CRITICAL ISSUES OF PRIMARY FOOD SUPPLY IN TOKYO

Abstract

This research examines critical issues of primary food supply in metropolitan areas and
explores solutions from the case study of the Tokyo market. Traditionally in the Tokyo
market, development of suburban agriculture played important roles to keep the balance of
supply and demand of food and to support domestic producing areas. However, since the late
twentieth century, however, not only the expansion of domestic food supply areas but also
globalisation of food supply has developed dramatically. As a result, infrastructures of food
self-sufficiency in the Tokyo market have been weakened. On the other hand, alternative
added values such as freshness, safety and traceability are focused upon nowadays in the food
supply system to attract consumers. Therefore, restructuring the food system by examining
such values can resolve the critical issues of primary food supply in Japan`s metropolitan
areas.