But their narrow interests are increasingly clashing with those of the consumers, importers and manufacturers who make up the bulk of an ever-more globalised economy.
Japanese trading houses, seeking a cheap and stable supply of vegetables for sale at home, encouraged Chinese farmers to grow the leeks and other products now making the Tsugayas' life tough.
Fukaya consumers, for their part, said they welcomed the global competition that is cutting prices of not only farm produce but manufactured wares as well.
"I have friends who are farmers and they're having a tough time, but I really wonder about import restraints," said 51-year-old shopper Yoshiko Igaki as she eyed domestic and foreign produce in a local supermarket.
"It's not just leeks. Lots of Chinese products are improving in quality and for consumers, the lower prices are welcome."
Hollow lobbies, new appeal
Figuring out how to adjust conflicting interests when Japan's economic pie is shrinking and still get elected is a major challenge for Japan's ruling politicians.
What is apparent, though, is that the LDP's age-old tactic of trading policy favors for support from lobby groups representing vested interests such as agriculture, health-care providers, construction and the like is proving less and less successful.
Opposition from the "zoku giin," or "tribal lawmakers" backed by such groups, has been an immense obstacle to Koizumi's reforms, but some say the days of the old-style legislators are numbered.
"Whether it's farm co-ops, labor unions or whatever, these organizations are empty shells," said Mayor Arai, an LDP-leaning politician who -- although a doctor -- was elected despite opposition from the long-powerful nationwide medical association.
"In 10 years or so, `zoku giin' will be gone. Members of parliament are going to have to appeal to broader constituencies."
Koizumi, a master of sound-bites and self-cast in the role of a lonely leader battling recalcitrant opponents of reform, is well ahead of the pack in crafting a new type of appeal.
Even as Koizumi's aides clinched a deal leaving local leek farmers without the protection they sought, a clearly admiring Toshio Tsugaya applauded the prime minister's political performance.
"He is battling against opposition from the LDP itself -- we have never had a prime minister like this."
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