FAO’s activities comprise four main areas. Its information and services are used by many people in Japan, such as farmers, food industry, governmental agencies, researchers, NGOs, students, the general public etc.

First, we put information within reach. We use the expertise of our staff - agronomists, foresters, fisheries and livestock specialists, nutritionists, economists and other professionals - to collect, analyse and disseminate data. Three million times a month, someone visits the FAO Internet site to consult a technical document or read about our work. We also publish newsletters, reports and books, distribute magazines and create CD-ROMs.

Ex.) FAO Statistical Database (FAOSTAT), the State of Food and Agriculture (SOFA), The state of food insecurity in the world (SOFI), the State of World Fisheries and Aquaculture (SOFIA), the Global Forest Resources Assessment (FRA)

Second, we share policy expertise. FAO lends its years of experience to member countries in devising agricultural policy, supporting planning, drafting effective legislation and creating national strategies to achieve rural development and hunger alleviation goals.

Ex.) CODEX Alimentarius, Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries, The Rotterdam Convention on the Prior Informed Consent Procedure for Certain Hazardous Chemicals and Pesticides in International Trade, International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture.

Third, we provide a meeting place for nations. On any given day, dozens of policy-makers and experts from around the globe convene at headquarters or in our field offices to forge agreements on major food and agriculture issues. As a neutral forum, FAO provides the setting where rich and poor nations can come together to build common understanding.

Ex.) World Food Summit, FAO meetings, Seminars

Fourth, we bring knowledge to the field. Our breadth of knowledge is put to the test in thousands of field projects throughout the world. FAO provides the technical know-how and in a few cases is a limited source of funds. In crisis situations, we work side-by-side with other humanitarian agencies to protect rural livelihoods and help people rebuild their lives.

Ex.) Special Programme for Food Security (SPFS), Emergency Prevention System for Transboundary Animal and Plant Pests and Diseases (EMPRES), Emergency Relief and Rehabilitation, TeleFood.