Cropland Act (No. 249) Country/Territory Japan Document type Legislation Date 1952 (2015) Source FAO, FAOLEX Subject Agricultural & rural development, Livestock, Land & soil Keyword Agricultural development Integrated pest management-IPM/pest management strategies Protection of environment Agricultural land Financial agricultural measures Monitoring Sustainable use Smallholders/peasants Lease Land tenure Grazing Geographical area Asia, Asia and the Pacific, Eastern Asia, North Pacific, North-West Pacific Entry into force notes This Act enters into force as of the date of enforcement of the Act Partially Amending the Commercial Code (Act No. 90 of 2000). Abstract The purpose of this Act is, in light of the important role that has been played by ownership of croplands by cultivators, the basis for domestic agricultural production, providing resources that are finite in nature, and to stabilizing the status of cultivators boosting the domestic agricultural production by regulating the conversion of cropland into non-cropland. It promotes the acquisition of rights to cropland by cultivators who make efficient use of cropland, taking care of local areas, regulating relations over the use of cropland, and taking measures to secure the agricultural use of cropland. In addition, it establishes that when a party transfers ownership of cropland or meadow/pastureland, establishes an area, farming right, pledge, or any other right to use and derive profit from cropland or meadow/pastureland, or transfer the right. The agricultural commission may grant permission under paragraph (1) when a right for use by loan or a right of lease is established for cropland or meadow/pastureland and if all of the requirements set forth in this Act are complied. Full text English/Japanese Website www.japaneselawtranslation.go.jp