Japan is now in a dilemma. In the talks of free trade liberalization, the Doha Development Agenda, Japan is now mandated to conduct trade liberalization in its agricultural sectors and tariff elimination of its agricultural products in order to reach an agreement for concluding negotiations among the 149 member countries. At the regional and bilateral measures, in addition, Japan is now required to open its agricultural market for the sake of developing countries in the region because trade liberalization in agriculture is crucial for the poor who heavily depends their livelihood on agriculture. Nevertheless, Japan's farmers and its agricultural market have been highly protected in order to protect the farmers’ livelihood, and sustain the nation’s economy and culture.

Japan is well known for its urban decadence and bustling streets -- many naturally envision a large city like Tokyo when thinking of Japan. Not to be overlooked however, are the rural farm lands where agriculture forms an important part of the economy. Amidst a mountainous terrain, farmers have grown rice for centuries on terraced fields that boast some of the highest productivity rates per unit of arable land. The nation is self-sufficient in rice production, which is an amazing feat considering its low percentage of farmable land, and its dependence on other countries for most resources. Japan’s culture is closely tied to agriculture. Traditional Japanese foods and drinks, such as Japanese sake, are largely rice-based, and the festivals celebrated throughout the country in the hot summer months are tied to temples and the year’s harvest.

Convincing of what farmers in the countryside have shaped our economic history and agriculture always exists at the center of Japan’s culture, we predict that, in the next year, 2007, Agriculture 2.0 will appear at the following three levels, though. First, it will appear at the multilateral level, Doha Development Agenda in World Trade Organization. All the WTO member countries will be prepared for the fully-fledged negotiations to resume towards a creation of a freer and fairer multilateral trading system. Second, it will appear at the regional level, Free Trade Agreements in East Asia. The proliferation of regional and bilateral measures in East Asia will boost up the world economies and have a huge contribution to successful development of the multilateral trading system. Finally, it will appear at the national level, General Elections in Japan. Based on the two-party system, Liberal Democratic Party and Democratic Party of Japan will compete their manifesto of agricultural policy reform as a crucial factor influencing the campaign in coming July.

Changing the landscape of international trades and regional development, the syndication and messaging capabilities of Agriculture 2.0 will build on the existing our culture by making it for Japan to have never ever an increasing important role in not only the multilateral negotiation in the WTO but also regional and bilateral measures in East Asia. With increasing global and regional integration, indeed, Japan must change to remain the same. Prior to 2007, more importantly, becoming the bridge between East Asia and Japan, we will serve as a social platform in the next generation for our future prosperity, and, promoting agriculture 2.0 all over the world, Japan will be more aggressive and competitive in its agricultural markets.