Hokkaido Farming Methods in Manchukuo in 1940s

In 1940, the Japanese Empire made the Plan for Self-Sufficiency in Food Production within the Yen Block. The Plan was a reaction of the Japanese government provoked by the severe food shortage in Japan and the outbreak of the war in Europe in the previous year. In other words, Japan needed to produce more food in Manchukuo and import it to Japan in order to relieve the food shortage in Japan.
The Research Project for Agricultural Policies in Japan and Manchukuo was embodied for this purpose. Indeed this Research Project brought together the brightest young scholars and technicians. A goal set by these scholars and technicians was a revolution of farming methods by introducing the Hokkaido farming methods into Manchuria.
There, however, are several problems for the Research Project to promote the Hokkaido farming methods in Manchuria.
In this paper I discuss farming problems of Japanese emigrants in Manchuria that led to the introduction of the Hokkaido farming methods to Manchuria, differences between the conventional farming methods in Manchuria and the Hokkaido farming methods, measures by and the extent to which the Hokkaido farming methods were spread, agricultural researches carried out by the Research Project and so forth. Lastly I examine the attempt to promote Hokkaido farming methods not only among Japanese emigrants but also among Chinese farmers in order to boost food production in Manchukuo.