The Farmland Conversion Process and Required Documents

Hello, I’m Daisuke Yasue, an Administrative Procedures Legal Specialist. Today, I’d like to explain the step-by-step process of farmland conversion and the necessary documents involved. If you're wondering “Where do I start?” or “What do I need to prepare?”, this guide is for you.

◆Overview of the Farmland Conversion Process

The general steps for farmland conversion are as follows:

1. Field Survey and Land Use Check

First, check whether the land in question is registered as “farmland” in the official registry. Then, visit the site to inspect current usage, terrain, drainage, and road access.

2. Check Zoning and Planning Restrictions

Next, determine whether the land is in an urbanized area, urbanization control area, or agricultural promotion zone. This will affect whether the procedure is a notification or a permit, and greatly influences difficulty.(Note: For agricultural promotion zones, you may need to file a "request for exclusion" before applying for conversion.)

3. Advance Consultation with Authorities

Contact the Agricultural Committee or the municipal planning department to confirm whether your plan is appropriate and feasible.

4. Preparation of Application Documents

Gather and prepare the required maps, forms, and supplementary documents (details listed below).

5. Submission to Agricultural Committee or Prefecture

Each municipality has a monthly deadline. Missing the deadline typically means your application is delayed to the next month.

6. Review, On-site Inspection, and Approval

The authorities will review your case and usually conduct a field inspection.Approval typically takes several weeks to several months depending on the complexity.

◆Example of Required Documents (for Article 5 Applications)

If you're transferring farmland to another person who plans to use it for non-agricultural purposes (e.g., selling it to a developer for a parking lot), you’ll likely need the following:

• Farmland Act Article 5 Permit Application Form

• Location map, site plan, and copy of the cadastral map

• Land registry certificate

• Survey map or land plot diagram

• Site development plan (layout, floor plans, etc.)

• Statement of intended use or project overview

• Seal certificates (inkan shomeisho) from both seller and buyer

• Copy of the sales or lease agreement

  
  

Depending on the land’s classification and location (especially in urbanization control areas or promotion zones), additional documentation or separate procedures may be required.

◆Conclusion

Farmland conversion requires not just paperwork, but also expert judgment based on zoning laws, land registry data, and municipal policies. If an application is rejected or delayed, it can result in lost time, money, and business opportunities.

At our office, we support farmland conversion cases—especially in Saku City and the surrounding areas—from preliminary checks to application submission. If you're wondering, “Does this land qualify?” or “Where should I start?”, don’t hesitate to reach out for a consultation.