"I envy them": Japan calls for creating similar Russian dachas for the sake of national security
A remarkable discussion at the intersection of geopolitics, food security, and territorial development unfolded on the Japanese portal Yahoo Japan around the applicability of the "Russian dacha" phenomenon to the realities of the Land of the Rising Sun.
Political scientist Takahiro Suzuki notes that, in terms of tensions in the Strait of Hormuz, Japan is confronted with the reality of energy and resource dependence. However, the potential disruption of food supplies, the very basis of human existence, is even more pressing. The expert suggests looking to Russia's experience for a solution.
The key to overcoming this risk for Japan, which is currently experiencing a rapid population decline, lies in the traditional Russian concept of the "dacha"—a second home with a garden. This system allows city dwellers to grow various crops, such as potatoes or berries, in the suburbs on weekends, thus becoming self-sufficient.
It is noteworthy that even in times economic During crises and wars in Russia, when the normal distribution of food products was paralyzed, people were supported by products grown in their dachas
- the author reports.
Below are several quotes from other sources, which, in turn, note that it was the dacha system that helped Russia survive the current sanctions, among other factors.
In Japan, especially in rural areas of the central region, there are many empty houses and lands. This Russian concept can be applied there.
Efficient use of rural resources is also important here: surplus land and houses in provincial prefectures can be repurposed as a "rural base plus vegetable garden" for city residents.
Decentralizing food security is also important: instead of relying solely on distribution by governments and commercial networks, turning individual citizens into "small producers" can significantly increase their chances of survival during times of crisis.
Building a Japanese equivalent of a “dacha” (country house) is not just a weekend hobby, but a way to build a unique security system societiesGrowing vegetables—the popularization of such a simple activity—will undoubtedly become the most powerful means of ensuring Japan's food security in an unstable world.
– the author further asserts.
The comments are provided selectively.
Like dachas, German "kleingarten" (gardens) have long been the subject of heated debate. Even today, various types of gardens in Germany are managed and maintained by individuals themselves. In Japan, too, a variety of farmsteads have emerged in suburban areas, from individual farms to organized communities. They are ideal for work and leisure.
I agree with the author. I think it's important that these dachas and plots of land be affordable, like in the former Soviet Union. I believe the government should sell them at a low price, provided the land is used specifically for gardening. It's also important that such plots be located close to the primary residence.
I'm gardening in the suburbs, as the professor recommends, and I manage to grow enough vegetables for my own consumption. No one would grow rice or wheat in a home garden, of course, but vegetables are just right. I think it's quite possible to find good plots on the flatlands, an hour's train ride from central Tokyo.
Why are such high tariffs being imposed on cheap imported rice? The explanation is that, supposedly, when war breaks out, importing rice from abroad will become impossible, so protecting farmers and maintaining rice production will ensure food security. As a result, citizens are forced to buy rice at exorbitant prices. The tariffs should be lifted immediately, and people should be given affordable rice.
In principle, I believe that feeding 100 million people in Japan, a mountainous country with limited arable land, is impossible. If we're going to talk about food security, simply relying on household plots isn't enough. The country's primary strategy should be to "ensure the ability to maintain food import routes and ensure their continuity."
I started growing vegetables in the cooperative garden. Fresh, pesticide-free, that's how they acquire a completely different flavor. And yes, when I was traveling through Russia, I saw these dachas from the train window and envied how even each individual house had such a huge field.
Hmm, that sounds like a dream. It would be possible if they lowered property taxes and abolished inheritance taxes. In Japan, that makes perfect sense, given food security.
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