日本的農業，已正式迎向農產品自由化時代的來臨，而一向掌控日本農業的農協 ，雖然極不願意，也不得不面臨被迫改革的命連。在檢討農協組織的發展歷程中，也得知在 農協中央的抗拒下，改革的腳步是緩慢且無奈的。 但環境在改變，農協也無法逃避，選擇順應時代潮流作徹底的改革，才能帶領日本農業面對 迫在眉睫的新課題。本文除介紹日本農協的組織，並闡述農協在各階段發展的歷程，以方便 明瞭其改革所遭遇的困難所在。

　　　　　Japan is on the path toward the liberalization of agricultural products. In spite of its reluctance to accept such a development, Japan's Agricultural Association (JAA) which has long controlled Japan's agricultural activities, has been forced to undertake reforms. So far, the reforms have been carried on at a very slow pace as a result of resistance from the JAA authorities. However, the JAA will inevitably have to undertake a thorough reform in order to settle Japan's imminent agricultural problems. This article introduces the JAA's organizational structure and its development at various stages, with a view to examining the problems that the JAA will meet in the course of reform.