CHIBA, Jul. 12 – Some active-duty Self-Defense Force (SDF) members and corporate workers have formed a five-member team of “Agricultural Self-Defense Force” to encourage SDF officers to choose agriculture as their post-retirement option. The team will provide information and farming techniques to retiring SDF officials to support their engagement in agriculture. It aims to offer a solution to the lack of new employment opportunities for retiring SDL members and address the shortage of agricultural workers. The party aims to attract 100 officials annually by 2035 to join this “4th Self-Defense Force” after retiring the Ground, Maritime, and Air SDF.
In the middle of June, at the hydrangea festival held in Tako Town, Chiba Prefecture, a group of people in the same green T-shirts with a bold logo reading” 農衛” on the back was marching through the venue. (“農衛” means farm defenders in Japanese.) Anyone could easily notice that they were not a regular agricultural organization from the strong build and reliable appearance of the man leading the team.
The name of the group is “Agricultural Self-Defense Force.” Founded in January 2025 in Tako Town, Chiba Prefecture, it aims to support retiring SDL members in finding jobs in agriculture to start their second lives. The group is led by Shinichiro Matsugami, a 50-year-old active-duty Japan Ground SDF (JGSDF) member.
Approximately 8,000 SDF members retire each year, including those who retire in their mid-50s through the early retirement program and others who retire in their 20s to mid-30s under a term-retirement system. According to the Ministry of Defense, only 1% of them go into agriculture. Meanwhile, Japan’s agricultural industry is facing an aging and shrinking workforce. “The skills gained during the time in the SDF can be used to save the agricultural industry in Japan,” Matsugami thought, and launched the project.
The idea was conceived during the Wago Agri College, organized by the agricultural corporation Wago, in Tako Town in October of last year. Matsugami participated in the farm experience program to get a better idea of what it would be like to live in the countryside after his retirement in a few years. Then, he saw potential in matching the agriculture with SDF members possessing strong capabilities. “Agriculture is still not a familiar option for a second life, but with the skills we are going to provide, people will be able to find good jobs in agricultural corporations or even start their farms,” says Matsugami. The deputy leaders of the group, Takafumi Inoue, 49, and Aya Eguchi, 47, are corporate workers who joined the team as they share the common view. Then, two more SDL officials joined when they formed the team.
Hikaru Sato, a 33-year-old JGSDF member, said, “It will help us motivate thinking that we can apply our expertise from SDF days and be a reliable member of the community when disaster occurs.”
The Agricultural SDF plans to establish programs to teach agricultural techniques to active-duty officials who aim to become farmers after retirement. The programs will include lectures on the basics of crop cultivation and business management, as well as on-site instructions from farmers on the basics of rice and tomato cultivation.
To prepare for the full-scale activity launch, the members are currently learning from farmers the basics of growing rice, tomatoes, and other crops and receiving training on how to operate agricultural machinery in Tako during their holidays. They also participate in local events to publicize the idea to local farmers and residents.
Masashi Sato, a 57-year-old farmer is supporting the team as a tomato cultivation trainer. “Former members of the SDF are firm and assiduous. Above all, I‘m moved by their passion for agriculture,” he said
The members of the Agricultural Self-Defense Force. The leader, Matsugami, is the second from the left. (In Tako Town, Chiba Prefecture)
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