Die Bodenkultur - Journal for Land Management, Food and Environment

K. Rudow:

Funding Less Favoured Areas in Japan – Lessons for Europe?

Summary

Not only the European Union but also Japan applies Less Favoured Area Policies. In Japan, mainly agricultural businesses in mountainous areas are concerned. The main objective of the funding programmes, in Japan as well as in the EU, is to prevent agricultural production being abandoned in the areas concerned. In spite of some obvious similarities in the implementation of funding schemes in Japan and the EU, there are several differences. Some of these aspects are worth being investigated in order to ascertain whether they could also be applied within the funding schemes of EU countries. In particular, the project principle, the added value principle and the multi-partnership principle, all employed in Japan, can be highlighted in this regard. Key words: Less favoured areas, mountain areas, LFA payments, Japan, funding scheme.