Name of supervisor：Kimura Akitoshi
Position：Professor
researchmap
Main research theme：
１）Research on understanding the reality of wholesale market distribution for fruits and vegetables and on strengthening market functions.
２)Research on clarifying various issues related to the production, manufacture, distribution, and consumption of agricultural products and food products and on solutions for such issues.
Research keywords：food market, fruits and vegetables, wholesale market, local distribution
E-mail：a-kimura(@mark)nvlu.ac.jp
Research
Fruit and vegetable distribution in Japan is characterized by high wholesale market transit rates. Although such wholesale markets have been formed by the developmental reorganization of previous distribution systems since the 1930s, market systems are presently facing various issues due to changes in the current distribution environment. However, wholesale markets are not only important shipment destinations for producers, but also essential fruit and vegetable suppliers for the enormous consumer demands of cities, and no alternative distribution systems currently exist. Thus, for my first research topic, I identify issues the current wholesale market distribution system and clarify solutions for them.
Additionally, regarding my second research topic, in addition to broadly understanding the reality and issues of production, manufacture, and distribution of Fresh foods and processed foods, I examine methods toward improvement.
Guidance policy for graduate students
During research guidance, I determine research topics based on graduate students’ awareness of problems among various stages from food production to consumption and work to promote a deeper understanding and acquire of knowledge through data collection and organization, survey implementation and analysis, and discussion between teacher and graduate students.
Furthermore, regarding research, alongside visits to production, manufacture, and distribution sites, I strive to assess the actual situation through on interview surveys with those involved and examine feasible solutions to issues based on economic theory.
Publications
１．Kimura Akitoshi: A Hierarchical Structure and Functional Changes in Middle-wholesalers of Vegetables and Fruits: An example in the Main Market of Central Wholesale Market of Osaka City, Agricultural Marketing Journal of Japan Vol45，1997，pp.22-42
２．Kimura Akitoshi: Direct Shipment Distribution System of Vegetables by Individual Farmers in Suburban Areas of Large Cities : The Case of the Tokatsu District of Chiba Prefecture, Agricultural Marketing Journal of Japan Vol66，2007，pp.29-41
３．Kimura Akitoshi: Market Function Strengthening in Local Distribution Markets of Large City Suburbs : Case Study of the Shonan Area, Kanagawa Prefecture, Agricultural Marketing Journal of Japan Vol102，2017，pp.33-39
４．Kimura Akitoshi: Selling of Fruit and Vegetables Outside the Prefecture by Wholesaler Located in a Horticultural Production Area －A Case Study of a Wholesale Market in Nagano Prefecture－, Agricultural Marketing Journal of Japan Vol113，2020，pp.22-29
