• Current state of the dairy industry

    • As Japan faces population decline and aging demographics, the dairy industry increasingly needs a diverse workforce to ensure sustainable development. Traditionally centered around family labor, dairy farms are now seeing a growing presence of not only Japanese workers but also foreign staff.
    • In this changing landscape, creating an inclusive environment where foreign staff can thrive—overcoming language and cultural barriers—also helps enhance the overall appeal of the dairy industry.
    • Meiji, in collaboration with dairy farmers, is committed to creating workplaces where all staff, regardless of nationality, can work with confidence and security. Our aim is to ensure that the dairy industry continues to be a sector that attracts diverse talent.

Challenges facing the dairy industry

Reduction of Environmental Impact Water and Soil Pollution The Rise of Plant-Based Food Reduction of Greenhouse Gas Emissions Animal Welfare Sustainability of Dairy Farming Management Human Rights of Workers Issues Shortages of successor and labor Concerns About the Treatment of Foreign Staff Due to Language and Cultural Barriers Challenging Working Conditions, Including Long Hours Starting Early in the Morning Contribution Development of local economies through job creation that fosters coexistence with local communities Utilization of marginal lands and cold climates for productive purposes Nurturing the next generation through dairy farming education Reduction of Environmental Impact Water and Soil Pollution The Rise of Plant-Based Food Reduction of Greenhouse Gas Emissions Animal Welfare Sustainability of Dairy Farming Management Human Rights of Workers Issues Shortages of successor and labor Concerns About the Treatment of Foreign Staff Due to Language and Cultural Barriers Challenging Working Conditions, Including Long Hours Starting Early in the Morning Contribution Development of local economies through job creation that fosters coexistence with local communities Utilization of marginal lands and cold climates for productive purposes Nurturing the next generation through dairy farming education

Understanding the employment situation of foreign staff on dairy farms

    • At Meiji, we began by seeking to understand the current situation, as we previously did not have a clear understanding of the employment conditions in dairy farms.
    • Continuing from FY2023, we conducted a survey on the employment of foreign staff, with the cooperation of 44 dairy farms across Japan that have ties to the Meiji Group in FY2025. The survey was revised to better capture details of the employment environment. As a result of the survey, we were able to identify good practices such as consideration for the working environment of foreign staff and creative ways of communicating daily. We plan to share these findings with the dairy farmers who cooperated with the survey.
    • As a future initiative, we are considering holding an opinion exchange meeting, involving supervisory organizations for foreign staff, to understand the real voices of foreign staff regarding the employment environment, such as consultations, concerns, and positive opinions.