The farming sector of Japan is facing serious problems, including a lack of successors. But, that is not the case for the Nemoto rice farm in Tsukuba, Ibaraki. All three children of Mr. and Mrs. Nemoto have chosen to succeed their parents on their rice farm. We met with Yuko, 24, the cheerful oldest child, and asked what drew her to the family farm as a career.

At the Nemoto farm, the family members start the day by assigning tasks among themselves. The polishing of rice is the primary task for Yuko. She is also one of he operators of the farm machinery, and has a number of operator licenses including for tractors, cranes and remote-controlled helicopters. She also has a license for slinging operations.

All of the Nemotos are keen on maintaining the quality of rice that they grow. That includes the taste of their rice. Using an expensive taste measuring device, they only ship those grains that are rated above 80 by the device, while a rating of 73 is generally the target elsewhere. The farm’s rice milling station is located away from its other operations to help prevent dust, bugs and other impurities from entering into shipments. These are some of the efforts that the Nemoto farm make to ensure the cleanliness and high quality of their products, and ultimately maintain and further enhance the Nemoto brand.

When asked why she took up her current career of succeeding the family farm together with two other children, Yuko said it was predominantly because of her mother. She says she grew up watching her mother perform dual roles, working at the farm while at the same time doing household chores such as cooking, cleaning and washing. If her mother was a man, she could only be involved in work like other men, she continued. That is why, she says, she decided to take up the current career to help her mother.

Yuko concluded by saying that she would continue to help the family grow rice that customers appreciate and that, as her mother loves flowers, she also would like to start growing them as well on the farm.