2023 Fiscal Year Research-status Report
Impacts of the Covid-19 Pandemic on Artisan Food in Japan
| Project/Area Number |
22K14955
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| Research Institution | Utsunomiya University |
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Principal Investigator |
シュレーガ ベンジャミン 宇都宮大学, 農学部, 助教 (90943605)
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| Project Period (FY) |
2022-04-01 – 2025-03-31
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| Keywords | artisan food / Japan / Covid-19 / food crisis / food brands |
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| Outline of Annual Research Achievements |
I completed numerous publications over the previous academic year thanks to the support of this funding. In particular, I would like to emphasize “A critical agrarian approach to food crises: Social distance as a specific food crisis arising from the COVID-19 pandemic in Japan” which I co-authored with Chika Kondo and published in Environment and Planning E: Nature and Space. This paper delves how the food crisis of Covid-19 reshaped Japanese food systems. In Figure 2, we explain that while industrial and local producers were largely able to shift sales to other venues, artisan producers had less flexibility to transition sales away from in-person dining. This explains why some artisan producers were especially hard hit. In October 2023, I conducted field research in Miyazaki Prefecture on jidori farmers to continue my research on Covid-19’s impact on artisan producers in Japan. I spoke with farmers regarding the challenges that they faced with a sharp decline in demand. This proved very difficult as they must anticipate how much meat they wish to sell three to five months prior to sale, at the time when they purchase chickens. I also continued my research on heirloom pigs in Okinawa, conducting archival research with the help of a research assistant.
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| Current Status of Research Progress |
Current Status of Research Progress
3: Progress in research has been slightly delayed.
Reason
I have made good progress with publications. However, my research is delayed due to the birth of a son in February 2022. Child care needs make it so I must revise the initial plan.
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| Strategy for Future Research Activity |
I will continue to conduct research on artisan producers in Japan. In particular, the role of rural revitalization (machi-okoshi) and regional branding (chi-iki burando) have emerged as key ideas that shape the expression of artisan food in the context of post-Covid-19 food systems in Japan. Miyazaki jidori and Okinawan heirloom pigs are also areas that are providing especially useful insights into my research topic.
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| Causes of Carryover |
The birth of my son in 2022 and resulting child care needs delayed my research. I am continuing to conduct research and write up my findings as child care and other work commitments permit.
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