The Japanese transformed the land from being arid, dry, and unfertile to being fertile and productive using various methods reflective of their view of nature. One technique many used was short-term crop specialization, intensively growing single crops such as berries. Monoculture relies heavily on the use of fertilizers, which many Japanese are accustomed to using. George Shima, one of the most successful Japanese farmers commonly known as the “potato king,” specialized in growing potatoes. Upon realizing that the potatoes that were raised on the riverbeds were of poor quality due to “the fact that the water on the land became sour,” Shima drained his swamplands in the delta before planting potatoes (Parkhurst 6). He converted the undeveloped land into fertile farmlands, producing successful potatoes of good quality. By growing one crop, farmers were able to focus on improving the land and growing conditions for their specific crop like Shima. The Japanese also established vertical integration of agriculture, where they …show more content…
They participated in the Agrarian Myth by heavily investing into the land in order to get a stake in society, create wealth, and contribute to the economy. A considerable obstacle the Japanese faced were the Alien Land Laws, which restricted them from owning property, decreasing their relationship they had with the land. If one did not have tenure, a long-term relationship to the land, the Japanese were not able to justify investing labor and capital in making the soil rich and the land successful. They could not nurture or care for the land and form a deep connection like before. However, the Japanese found loopholes such as short-term leasing and placing ownership of land through their children or White friends and associates. By finding loopholes the Japanese were able to keep their lands they have been working on and continue to produce valuable