G/SCM /Q2/JPN/87  
 
19 April 2024 
(24-3270) Page: 1/2 
Committee on Subsidies and Countervailing Measures  Original:  English  
 
  
SUBSIDIES  
REPLIES TO QUESTIONS POSED BY AUSTRALIA1 REGARDING  
THE NEW AND FULL NOTIFICATION OF JAPAN2  
The following communication, dated and received on 19 April 2024, is being circulated at the request 
of the delegation of Japan . 
 
_______________  
 
 
Japan would like to thank Australia for its questions regarding the 2023 new and full notification of 
Japan. Japan provides replies to the questions as follows.  
3.11 P rograms for development and adaptation of new technologies and conservation of 
fishing grounds  
The objective of this program is to support fishermen to conserve fishing grounds and 
mitigate damage using new technologies.  
Question 1  
Could Japan please clarify the precise scope and purpose of grants provided under this 
program?  
Reply : 
The purpose of this program is "to support fishermen and their organizations to conserve fishing 
grounds and mitigate damages by harmful marine species, using new te chnologies ", as described in 
the notification. The scope of this program is mainly activities by fishermen to conserve the marine 
environment and ecosystems and to mitigate damages by harmful marine species, such as activities 
(1) to conserve seagrass beds  and tidal flats, (2) to collect and dispose of floating/washed -up debris, 
and (3) to monitor the distribution of large jellyfish, which are one of the most serious bycatch 
species in offshore/coastal fisheries and cause degradation of the quality of the f ish caught together 
with the jellyfish.  
Question 2  
Does this program provide benefits to marine capture fishing?  
Reply : 
This program is to provide support for the conservation of the environment and ecosystems and the 
mitigation of damages by harmful marin e species.  
 
1 G/SCM/Q2/JPN/86  
2 G/SCM/N/401/JPN  G/SCM/Q2/JPN/87  
 
- 2 - 
 
  Question 3  
Could Japan also please clarify whether there are conditions or criteria attached to the 
receipt of grants and, if so, what are they?  
Reply : 
Upon applying this program, applicants are required to meet such conditions as shown in the 
following. Financial supports under this program will be provided to only applicants who are selected 
after the review conducted by a project evaluation committee composed of experts and other 
relevant members.  
• The applicant must have the intention and con crete plan to carry out the project and have 
the capacity to implement the project properly.  
• The applicant must have an appropriate management framework and operational capacity 
for accounting and other administrative matters related to the project and hav e 
appropriate documents such as articles of incorporation, a list of officers, and business 
plans, reports and income and expenditure statements.  
• The applicant must be located in Japan and be able to assume responsibility for the overall 
project and the pr oper execution of the supports provided.  
• The applicant must allow the results obtained from the project to be used for public benefit 
without limiting the use of the results.  
• The applicant 's officers, etc. must not be members of organized crime groups.  
• The applicant must have a mechanism in place to prevent any irregularities in the 
administrative procedures.  
Question 4  
Are these grants provided automatically to applicants or does the program require 
discretion from the granting authority?  
Reply : 
Please se e Reply for Question 3 above.  
Question 5  
Do the criteria for these grants contain performance bonuses or relate to, or are 
contingent on, where the fishing takes place?  
Reply : 
The criteria for this program do not contain performance bonuses related to the volume or value of 
catch or aquaculture production. The criteria do not relate to or are not contingent on where the 
fishing takes place.  
 
__________