In 1999, the Basic Act on Food, Agriculture, and Rural Areas was enacted, to outline the direction of Japanese agriculture in the 21st century and the framework for agricultural policy. It mandated the formulation of a basic plan every five years. This Basic Act was amended in 2024, for the first time in 25 years. Forming the backdrop to this amendment were the dramatic changes in a variety of circumstances affecting agriculture, including domestic and international development, climate change, and a decline in the farming population due to the aging of agricultural workers. At the same time, initiatives focused on the agriculture of the future are also starting to emerge, such as the establishment of smart agriculture and other such sustainable food systems. Agriculture has reached a major turning point.