Silviase/jgov_v1.4_full_ann huggingface dataset:
Figure I - 6 Imports of Seafood for Human Consumption from China to Japan (by imported item weight)

Note: Such products as living fish, fish meal, sea sponges, and seaweed are excluded.

Measures to increase exports ---Example of fishermen in Hokkaido-----

The Kushiro Motorship Fisheries Cooperative Association, which is an association of offshore trawl fishery operators and other operators, has started shipping of fresh walleye pollack since 1999. Around the same time, South Korea agreed to withdraw its pollack fishery from Japanese waters and started importing the fish from Japan to make up for the decrease in catches. Nowadays, the association ships most of fresh pollack to South Korea.

Other fishermen have taken measures to increase the export of chum salmon and has succeeded in increasing the exports of the fish to China and other countries in recent years.
### I I. Developments in the Japanese Fisheries since 2002

### 1. Supply and demand for fishery products in Japan

## (1) Domestic fishery production

(Fishery and aquaculture production)

In 2002, Japan saw its fishery and aquaculture production decrease 4% in volume from the previous year to 5.88 million tons (Table II-1) and also shrank 3% in value to 1,718.8 billion yen (Table II-2).

## (Fishery resources in surrounding waters)

According to the results of a resource assessment conducted in 2003 on major fishery resources in the waters surrounding Japan, the levels of fishery resources are low for about half of the species or stocks on which the assessment was conducted.

Since FY 2003, such resource restoration plans as the “Resource Restoration Plan for Flatfish and Sandfish in the Northern Part of the Sea of Japan” and the “Resource Restoration Plan for Pacific Stock of Common Mackerel” have been implemented. In total, seven plans for 13 fish species have been implemented, including the four plans that have been implemented since FY 2002 (Figure II-1). Resource restoration plans sometimes require fishery operators to suspend fishing or take other measures that could directly damage financial earnings. It is therefore necessary for the parties concerned to make coordination on the details of the plans. Despite such a difficulty, more restoration plans need to be developed and implemented in the future.

## (Aquatic environment)

The aquatic environment of such areas as coastal waters, which are important for fishing and aquaculture, are threatened by such factors as the influx of wastewater from factories and households, etc., as well as shrinkage in the size of seagrass beds and tidelands, land reclamation, and sea gravel extraction. In particular, the diminishment of seagrass beds has a tremendously negative effect on coastal fishery because seagrass beds are essential for aquatic animals to spawn and secure places for the fry to grow. Reason for the disappearance of about 40% of the seagrass beds is unknown.

According to past investigations, there are direct and indirect causes attributable to human activities. Direct causes include land reclamation, while indirect causes include a stagnant water flow caused by buildings or other structures and a change in the distribution of underwater sand. On the other hand, natural causes include an increase
in water temperature and feeding damage. In addition, a decrease in the clarity of water due to muddiness or contamination was pointed out as another reason, according to a study on zostera zones.

In 2003, the infestation of large jellyfish hindered fishery operations for two years in a row.

The causes of such infestation are mostly yet to be determined. Efforts are being made to develop technology to predict the spread of the infestation and possible affected areas and also to prevent jellyfish from coming into fishnets. In February 2004, the International Jellyfish Workshop was held with the participation of experts from South Korea, China, and Japan in an effort to identify the causes of jellyfish infestation.

Inland water fisheries and the ecosystem have been damaged by foreign fish species such as black bass, which has widened its habitat after being introduced into Japan. In order to solve this problem, it is necessary for Japanese nations to develop a deeper understanding of fishing environments and ecosystem preservation.

Since mid-October 2003, koi herpes has broken out and begun to cause damage. Measures to prevent the spread of the disease have been taken. Regarding the flavobacterium infection, the Committee against Flavobacterium of Ayu (sweetfish) was established by concerned organizations. The committee has been engaging in such activities as spotting the breakout of the disease, promoting the use of seed history cards, and checking whether the disease has spread from Ayu to other fish species. It is therefore necessary to further enhance measures to prevent and cure fish diseases such as gathering information, monitoring disease, and providing instructions at production sites.

## Column: Collaboration between fishery operators and forestry operators

It has long been recognized among fishery operators that forests play important roles in conserving fishery resources. People call such forests, “fish-gathering forests.” In recent years, fishery operators recognized the importance of such roles of forests and started a reforestation movement throughout Japan.

Another nationwide movement is the creation of fish reefs with thinning wood. In some cases, fishery operators go into a forest to cooperate with forestry operators. The movement, which was started as an effort to promote the effective use of unused lumber from thinning, has promoted mutual understanding and cooperation between fishery operators and forestry operators.
Table II-1 Fishery and Aquaculture Production by Volume

(Unit: 10,000 tons)

1992	1997	2001	2002	Rate of increase or decrease (%) 2002/2001
Total	927	741	613	588	$ \Delta $ 4
Marine fishery	777	598	475	443	$ \Delta $ 7
Far seas fishery	127	86	75	69	$ \Delta $ 8
Offshore fishery	453	334	246	226	$ \Delta $ 8
Coastal fishery	197	178	155	149	$ \Delta $ 4
Marine aquaculture	131	127	126	133	6
Inland water fisheries and aquaculture	19	15	12	11	$ \Delta $ 4

Source: “Annual Statistics of Fishery and Aquaculture Production,” Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries

Table II-2 Fishery and Aquaculture Production by Value

(Unit: 100 million yen)
1992	1997	2001	2002	Rate of increase or decrease (%) 2002/2001
Total	26,070	22,226	17,803	17,188	$ \Delta $ 3
Marine fishery	18,272	14,674	11,651	11,359	$ \Delta $ 3
Far seas fishery	4,501	2,633	2,009	1,813	$ \Delta $ 10
Offshore fishery	6,107	5,377	4,206	4,130	$ \Delta $ 2
Coastal fishery	7,663	6,664	5,435	5,416	$ \Delta $ 0.4
Marine aquaculture	6,126	5,989	5,029	4,785	$ \Delta $ 5
Inland water fisheries and aquaculture	1,665	1,556	1,116	1,039	$ \Delta $ 7

Source: “Annual Statistics of Fishery and Aquaculture Production,” Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries
Figure II-1 Overview of the Resource Restoration Plans (as of March 2004)
## (2) Processing and marketing of fishery products

## (Production volume of processed fishery products)

The production volume of major items of processed fishery products has been on the decline as a whole mainly due to shrinking sales and unstable raw material supply. In 2002, the production volume of smoked products rose thanks to an increase in squid products, while that of salted products fell due to a decrease in such products as salted common mackerel. As a whole, in most product items amount of production volume decreased. According to the data compiled every five years since 1991 on revenue and expenditure of fishery processing operators, the proportion of operators of being in the red has been on the rise (18% in 1991, 35% in 2001). They have been facing difficult business management problems such as a decreasing supply of raw materials and intensifying competition over price and quality.

## (Marketing of fishery products)

In 2002, the total catches landed at major fishing ports in the places of origin and listed in a nearby market decreased 9% compared to the previous year. The average price was 217 yen/kg. According to data on the 3-year average volumes and values of major fish species for the period from 1995 through 1997 and from 2000 through 2002, the value of landed fish has decreased for most fish species (Figure II-2). Prefectural governments have been taking measures to promote mergers among local markets on the site of production areas for the purpose of enhancing their functions and rationalizing their business management.

Selection of a port to land a catch based on a market forecast by use of IT

--- An example of measures taken by fishery operators and markets near major ports for purse seine fishery in the northern part of Kyushu ---

At six markets in the northern part of Kyusyu, a new-internet system on information sharing was introduced.

These six markets are located at major landing fishing ports of purse seine fishing vessels, and these ports are connected through internet with the vessels, on shore offices of these vessels, sharing market forecast of these markets and predicted profit if landed at each port.

This system is currently in operation on a trial basis, and attracting attention as a model for effective supply system of fishery products at producing sites.
In 2002, the trade volume at major markets in consuming sites (central wholesale markets in 10 cities) decreased 2% from the previous year. The average price of trade fishery products was 796 yen/kg. The volume and average price has decreased 8% and 9% respectively in the past 5 years.

While the value and volume of fishery products traded at central wholesale markets has been on the decline (Figure II-3), about two thirds of all fishery products are estimated to be still traded through wholesale markets, which continue to play a central role in distributing fishery products. It is therefore important to transform the wholesale market system into a safer and more reliable and effective distribution system in order to meet the expectations of both producers and consumers. For this purpose, necessary measures are planned to be taken such as deregulation of trade rules, promotion of proper quality control, and facilitation of realignment of wholesale markets.
Figure II - 2 Changes in Prices in Landed Volume and Prices at Ports of Producing Site (Fish and other aquatic animals) - Changes from the three-year average for 1995 through 1997 to that for 2000 through 2002

Fishery products that had an average price for 1995 through 1997 of at least ¥500/kg

Fishery products that had an average price for 1995 through 1997 of less than ¥500/kg

Source: Made using “Annual report of Distribution Statistics on fisheries Products,” Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries

Note: (1) The study for the statistics was made on 204 ports for the period from 1993 through 1995, 206 ports for the period from 1996 through 1998, 205 ports for 1999 and 2000, and 203 ports for 2001 and 2002.

(2) The graph was prepared based on the date of 78 product items of fish and aquatic animals. In the case of a species that is separately listed in more than one category such as fresh, frozen, unshelled, and shelled, each type of product of the fish was considered as an individual product item.
Figure II-3 Changes in the Handling Quantities and Values at Central Wholesale Markets

Source: Commerce and Marketing Division, General Food Policy Bureau, Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries
## (3) Safety and labeling of fishery products

(Establishment of the Food Safety Basic Law, etc.)

Following the establishment of the Basic Law on the Food Safety in May 2003, the Food Sanitation Law, the Pharmaceutical Affairs Law, and other related laws and regulations were revised. In this context, the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries established the Food Safety and Consumer Affairs Bureau. Due to these changes, the food safety administration has been drastically reformed. In the field of fishery, the use of unapproved medical products (including formalin used by some aquaculture operators of tiger puffers for parasite extermination) has been prohibited by law. The comprehensive restrictions on the use of fishery medical products have been imposed on all fish species. Regarding feed for cultivated aquatic animals, a study is currently underway to establish comprehensive specifications and standards applicable to each fish species.

## (Improvement and enhancement of labeling)

Since July 2000, the label of each fresh fishery product has been required to show the name and place of origin, and also to indicate whether the product is “defrosted” or “cultured” as the case may be. Since April 2001, the label of each processed food has been required to indicate the ingredients and use-by date. Since February 2002, the label of each designated processed item such as salted mackerel has been required to show the place of origin of its raw material. The number of designated items is currently six.

In order to make labels easier to understand, two sets of guidelines were established: the Outlines of the Guidelines for the Names of Fish and Shellfish (implemented since April 2003) and the Guidelines for Indication of Place of Origin (Producing Water Area) of Fresh Seafood (implemented since July 2003) (Figure II-4).

Regarding processed foods, a study is underway based on a report submitted by the "Joint Committee on Food Labeling" to determine whether more processed food items should be required to indicate the place of origin of their raw materials on labels.

## (4) Consumption of fishery products and self-sufficiency rate

In 2002, the fishery products supplied for domestic consumption decreased 2% to 11.11 million tons from a year earlier, of which about 80% was supplied for human consumption, down 3% compared to the previous year to 8.55 million tons. The amount of fishery products consumed per person was 37.4 kg per year on a net weight basis.
The self-sufficiency rate of fishery products for food consumption in 2002 was 53%, remaining the same level as the previous year (Figure II-5).

## Differences in the purchase of seafood in comparison of age

The older a householder, the more fresh seafood the household purchases in contrast to fresh meat. It is probably because people usually increase their preference for seafood as they age and also because today's seniors have eaten seafood frequently since they were young.

In recent years, the amount of seafood purchased by a household member has decreased from the level of 20 years ago, where the household headed by a person aged 49 or younger is concerned. Future seniors may not show the same correlation between aging and the purchase amount of seafood as shown in the previous paragraph.

Seafood contains a lot of EPA and DHA, which help to prevent lifestyle-related diseases, and also contains a great deal of calcium and iron, which are often in sufficient in the modern Japanese diet. It is therefore important to educate today's young people about the nutritious benefits of seafood so that they will inherit the traditional Japanese diet of abundant seafood in the future.

Example of measures to promote communications between aquaculture operators and consumers

Consumers are concerned about the safety of cultured fish and its feed as well as the environment of aquaculture grounds. Consumers tend to doubt the quality of cultured fishery products mostly because they often have little information about aquaculture operators due to the distance between the consuming area and the aquaculture grounds.

Since 2003, measures have been taken to deepen the mutual understanding between consumers and producers by allowing consumers to visit aquaculture grounds to see aquaculture production sites and exchange opinions directly with producers and ask questions about cultured fishery products.
Figure II-4 Examples of Appropriate Use of Names of Exotic Fish Species

○ The names of exotic species must not mislead consumers into believing that they are better than what they really are in terms of quality. The labels of exotic fish and shellfish, etc., should display names in wide use that most accurately describe the fishery products in accordance with the general rules.
◇ Examples of exotic fish species
Usable names	Magellan-ainame (Patagonian toothfish), mero (mero)	Kingukurippu (kingklip)	Shirubah (silver), Shirubah-warefu (silver warehou)
Prohibited names	Ginmutsu	Amadai	Okiburi
(Reference) Patagonian toothfish, mero (Notothenioidei), mutsu (Scombropidae), kingklip (Ophidiidae), amadai (Branchiostegidae), silver, silver warehou (Centrolophidae), buri (Carangidae)

Figure II - 5 Transition in Self-Sufficiency Rate, etc, for Fish and Shellfish for food

Source: “Food Balance Sheets,” Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries
### 2. International developments surrounding Japanese fisheries

## (1) Bilateral fishery relations

Japan has concluded an agreement with South Korea and China respectively and fishermen of these countries fish in each other’s waters under these agreements.

Based on the Japan-Russia Adjacent and Offshore Fishery Agreement, Japan and Russia fish in each other's 200-mile zone. Moreover, based on the Japan-Russia Fishery Cooperation Agreement, salmon and trout are fished for in the northern sea. Furthermore, based on the Framework Agreement Concerning the Operations of Japanese Fishing Vessels in the Waters around the Four Northern Islands, Japanese fishing vessels operate in the waters.

Japanese fishing vessels also operate in the 200-mile zones of Pacific countries and African countries under an agreement concluded between the government of Japan and that of these respective countries etc.

## (2) Crackdown on illegal foreign fishing vessels

Japan monitors and cracks down on foreign fishing vessels in its exclusive economic zones etc. In 2003, there were 35 seizures, which was the second highest number of seizures to the number recorded in 2002 (Figure II-6). Illegal fishing operations have increased in frequency and seriousness. Japan needs to further improve and enhance its control over its surrounding waters.
Figure II - 6 On-site inspections by Inspectors of the Fisheries Agency on Fishing Vessels of Neighboring Countries and Regions

Number on-site inspections

Source: Fisheries Agency
## (3) Multilateral fishery relations

### A. Developments with regard to tuna and skipjack fisheries

(Measures to eliminate the operations of Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated (IUU) fishing vessels including vessels flying a flag of convenience)

The International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tuna (ICCAT), the Indian Ocean Tuna Commission (IOTC), and other regional fishery management institutions are making international efforts to eliminate IUU fishing vessels.

ICCAT and other organizations have compiled a positive list of fishing vessels that have received official approval from the respective member countries. These organizations are trying to establish rules to exclude catches of any unlisted fishing vessels from international trade. In November 2003, Japan introduced the measure to implement the rules.

(Developments in the conservation and management of tuna in the Western and Central Pacific Ocean)

In September and October 2003, at a preparatory meeting for the commencement of the Western and Central Pacific Tuna Convention (WCPFC Convention), the rules of procedure of the North Committee which deals with such resources as blue fin tuna living in the North Pacific Ocean (the area north of 20 degrees north latitude) were established. The procedure specifies that any measures of conservation and management on blue fin tuna and other fishery resources are not to be taken without the consent of Japan.

### B. United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO)

At a meeting of the Committee on Fisheries of FAO held in February 2003, participants emphasized the need for international measures to prevent IUU fishing activities and agreed to hold a governmental meeting in 2004.

It was also agreed to hold another governmental meeting to review the effects of fisheries subsidies on the sustainability of resources immediately after the above-mentioned governmental meeting in 2004.

At recent meetings held under the Convention on International Trade of Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), some signatory countries that demand animal protection, considered to be excessive, have submitted many proposals to protect marine species under CITES. In order to prevent biased protectionism, it was
agreed to establish an appropriate framework that enables FAO to have an appropriate influence over CITES and thereby extend further cooperation based on the concrete work schedule agreed by parties concerned. In addition, it was decided to establish within FAO a study group where experts study proposals to list threatened species in the CITES Appendixes.

According to a research paper, whales annually eat three to five times more fishery resources than the world’s annual catches. This paper is attracting a lot of attention worldwide. Taking account of this situation, reconfirmation was made on the decision to have the Committee on Fisheries conduct a study on conflict between fisheries and marine mammals. Furthermore, it was agreed that FAO is carrying out tasks related to the management of ecosystem as a whole.

At the U.N. General Assembly in 2003, the U.S. submitted a proposal to restrict long-line fishery which is allegedly to catch incidentally a lot of sharks. After consultation and discussion during the GA, parties agreed to adopt a resolution concerning sustainable fisheries which included a statement calling for effective use of sharks by using not only the fins but also the entire body.

### C. International Whaling Commission (IWC)

At the IWC annual meeting in June 2003, participants adopted a resolution to establish a Conservation Committee in charge of developing measures to protect all whales, including species which stock or abundant. Because this resolution is designed solely to protect whales and therefore violates the purpose of the IWC Convention, Japan has withheld cooperation with the conservation committee. Japan's request for an interim quota for coastal small-type whaling has been rejected for consecutive 15 years. At this meeting, Japan submitted a request for a quota of 150 Minke whales (coastal small-type) and 150 Bryde's whales (coastal large-type) for verification tests to be used in the Revised Management Scheme (RMS). This proposal was also rejected by a vote. Japan plans to continue its efforts to obtain understanding for resumption of commercial for whaling and review all possible measures to positively influence the IWC.

### 3. Fishery business management

## (1) Trends concerning fishery operators

In 2002, the number of fishery operators engaging in marine fishery decreased 4% from the previous year to 136,000, consisting of 129,000 coastal fishery operators, 7,000