Issues and Options Relating to Sustainable Management of Irrigation Water in Japan: A Conceptual Discussion

Abstract

Improving the efficiency of paddy irrigation, the dominant water consumer, is an important policy issue for the sustainable management of water resources in Japan. This needs to be consistent with the agricultural support policy, considering that Japan is now facing a drastic change in its agricultural policy environment. A key question is whether the irrigation sector policy developed for constructing new facilities under the agricultural price support regime could address issues associated with the new agricultural policy environment. This paper tries to discuss these aspects conceptually and proposes the general direction policy reform in the irrigation sector should take.