Japan to Open School for Female Farmers to Become Community Leaders

July 24, 2018

Tokyo- Japan's agriculture ministry will open a school in Tokyo on Wednesday to train female farmers to be community leaders.

The ministry will also open a similar school in Osaka on July 30.

The Tokyo and Osaka schools will each hold eight sessions through March next year for around 25 women in the industry interested in boosting the management power of farmers and promoting farming in their areas.

According to the ministry, women account for some 40 pct of those who make a living mostly from agriculture. But only 7 pct of such women take charge of management and less than 10 pct act as regional farming industry leaders.

The students will receive lectures, attend workshops, join actual activities and undergo on-site training, to learn how to improve leadership skills, play active roles in their communities and promote local brands.

In a related move, the ministry will develop teaching materials for agricultural managers working to improve women's participation in the field. The materials will be used at management seminars held in eight locations across the country by next March. Jiji Press