The statement that best summarizes the role of farmers, artisans, and merchants in feudal Japan is:
"All contributed to feudal Japanese society, but they were valued less because they did not have military expertise."
In feudal Japan, society was structured around the samurai class and military service. Farmers, artisans, and merchants played important roles in the economy and culture, but their contributions were often regarded as inferior compared to the samurai, who held military power and prestige.