Japan’s 13 national research institutes have networks with 255 prefectural research institutes and experiment stations through six national agricultural experiment stations.
Since the national government does not directly offer extension services, agricultural research–extension linkage in Japan operates at the prefecture (state) level
It is a bottom-up management system in which decisions on linkage activities are taken at prefecture level without the direct involvement of national officers.
Research–extension linkage involves the use of subject-matter specialists, technical committees, joint study meetings, and staff exchanges between prefectural research and extension organisations.
Farmers’ problems and needs are compulsorily sourced by district extension centres from farmers, agro-cooperative societies, schools, and town/village administrative offices.