YAMADA Masahiko, born in 1942 in Nagasaki Prefecture, is a prominent Japanese lawyer and former Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries. A graduate of Waseda University’s School of Law, YAMADA passed the national bar exam and returned to his hometown to operate a ranch. Following the oil crisis, he shifted his focus fully to legal practice, eventually entering politics. After four attempts, he was elected to Japan’s House of Representatives and went on to serve five consecutive terms. In June 2010, he was appointed Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, where he played a pivotal role in implementing Japan’s individual income support system for farmers. Following his political career, YAMADA has continued to advocate for reform in agriculture and food policy. He is an outspoken critic of the repeal of the Seed Law and the amendment of the Plant Variety Protection and Seed Act. He actively lectures and leads study sessions across Japan, raising public awareness about critical issues related to food sovereignty and sustainability. He is also a passionate advocate for introducing organic ingredients into school lunch programs. To further promote public understanding of seed and food safety—issues often overlooked by mainstream media—YAMADA took on the role of producer and released two documentary films: “Whose Seeds?” and “Guardians of Food Safety.” Through his lifelong dedication to law, politics, and food justice, YAMADA remains a respected voice in shaping Japan’s future in sustainable agriculture.