- Japan’s dairy farm numbers are falling, but milk output remains stable.
- Smart farming and domestic feed are key support priorities.
- Weak demand is prompting production cuts in Hokkaido.
The minister was responding to figures recently released by the Japan Dairy Council, which reported that the number of dairy farms shipping raw milk to designated producer organisations fell to 9,019 at the end of September.
While acknowledging the sector’s long-term contraction, Takebe noted that milk production has remained relatively stable despite the decline in producer numbers.
“In recent years, the number of dairy farms has been on a downward trend, but so far, raw milk production has remained largely stable due to the expansion of scale and the increase in milk yield per cow,” he said during a Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF) press conference on 6 November.
These updates follow news that Hokkaido’s producer groups announced a reduction target for raw milk production next year, the first cut in four years.
Hokkaido is Japan’s largest dairy-producing region, and the announced reduction highlighted the sector’s struggle to balance supply with softening demand.
“Regarding the current supply and demand for raw milk, due to the lower-than-average temperatures this summer, raw milk production increased while consumption of drinking milk and other dairy products decreased. As a result, we recognise that the supply and demand situation has eased significantly,” said Takebe.
Stepping up efforts
The minister highlighted the importance of the nation’s smallholders to the domestic dairy industry.
“In order to continue supplying the milk and dairy products that the public needs in the future, we believe it is important for dairy farmers, including small and medium-sized ones, to play an active role.”
Acknowledging the decline in dairy farm numbers as a growing concern, he said the ministry would step up efforts to support the sector.
“The Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries intends to provide solid support so that diverse business entities, including small and medium-sized dairy farmers, can continue their operations.”
Takebe pointed to the Basic Policy for Modernising Dairy and Beef Cattle Production, adopted in April 2025, and said the ministry would focus on measures outlined in the policy, including smart livestock farming, productivity improvements and greater use of domestically produced feed.
He highlighted key priorities, such as improving productivity, expanding demand, and reducing import dependence.
“Based on this basic policy, we are working to expand the demand for milk and dairy products through the development of new products. At the same time, we are promoting productivity improvements, such as promoting smart livestock farming to address labour shortages. Furthermore, we are working to reduce our dependence on imported feed by expanding the production and use of domestically produced feed, mainly roughage.”
Consumer demand crucial
The minister said MAFF remains committed to ensuring dairy farmers can continue operating with confidence.
“We will continue to work to ensure that those on the ground can continue farming with peace of mind for the future and that the milk and dairy products that the public needs can be stably supplied.”
Takebe also stressed that stronger demand would be critical to the sector’s long-term sustainability and appealed to consumers to continue drinking milk.
“In the future, the cooperation of consumers is more important than anything else for the sustainable development of dairy farming. We would like to ask for your support in expanding consumption, such as by drinking a glass of milk more than usual.”