noun
speculative rice buying; buying rice before harvest
Literal agricultural term: purchasing a rice crop while the fields are still green, i.e., before harvest. Now largely historical or metaphorical.
江戸時代には、青田買いで米の先物取引が行われていた。
In the Edo period, speculative rice trading was done through aotagai.
noun
early recruitment of students; hiring students before the official date
Figurative extension of the agricultural term. Refers to companies recruiting university students before the agreed-upon start of the hiring season, often seen as a controversial practice.
青田買いを防ぐため、就活ルールが設けられている。
Job-hunting rules are established to prevent early recruitment of students.
大手企業による青田買いが問題になっている。
Early recruitment by major companies has become a problem.