Silviase/jgov_v1.4_full_ann huggingface dataset:
## Section 5: The future of Japan's fishing industry in light of recovery and reconstruction efforts

A variety of initiatives undertaken to rebuild the disaster-stricken fishing industry have served as invaluable insights toward overcoming the myriad issues that Japan’s fishing industry faces as a whole. The Government, based on its recognition of the following issues, will continue to provide its full support to fishery reconstruction efforts. It is also vital that the lessons learned from this disaster be put to use in future fishery policy.

## (1) Strengthening ties between consumers and fishers

The people of Japan have expressed a strong interest in the fishing industry, which is the backbone of the economy in the affected areas, and the fishing communities active in the industry. Efforts to build and maintain visible connections between the people and fishers are powerful tools for reinvigorating not only the affected areas, but Japan's fishing industry as a whole.

Rebuilding oyster aquaculture subscription services

The Miyako Bay Oyster Aquaculture Cooperative began a subscription oyster business selling oysters directly to consumers. The photograph shows a reception with the consumers.

Connecting affected fishers and consumers via online mail-order sales

Just one month after the disaster, Sanriku Toretate Ichiba had resumed its business of posting photographs of fresh catches from local fishing vessels on its homepage and selling them directly to consumers. The photograph shows staff filming a fish catch.

## (2) Adopting new operating methods and promoting initiatives to supply high quality fish and fishery products

O As stakeholders work toward reconstruction, initiatives to set up joint operations and transition to new, highly profitable systems, such as sharing various facilities and establishing fishery production cooperatives, have emerged.

To rebuild the fishing industry in the affected areas, it is necessary to accelerate proactive initiatives that respond to consumers' increased focus on safety and reliability by improving sanitation control in distribution and processing facilities, rather than just restoring things to the status quo.

O It is important to provide continuing support to these initiatives and to steadily spread them beyond the affected areas.

Establishing companies in which aquaculturists handle everything from production to processing and sales

Led by a group of aquaculturists, Oh! Guts! LLC—a company handling every step from processing to sales—was established in August 2011.

Expanding the fishery processing industry by utilizing local fishery resources

Abecho Shoten Co., Ltd. has helped to invigorate the local fishing industry by using high quality, locally-caught seafood for processed goods in order to create value-added products and by connecting producers directly to consumers.

Ono Foods Co., Ltd. has helped resuscitate the local community by resuming its operations and expanding its business to maximize the value of locally-caught, in-season fish. The photograph shows a direct-to-consumer sales event held before the disaster.
## (3) Strengthening disaster prevention and promoting disaster mitigation in fishing communities

O As part of the reconstruction effort, initiatives are underway to: (1) reinforce fishing ports and coastal protection facilities so that they can function effectively even in the event of a tsunami; and (2) promote the earthquake proofing of local markets' landing piers so that landings can be resumed as soon as possible after a disaster. Efforts to improve evacuation routes are also underway in order to secure the safety of local residents, workers, and visitors in the event of a disaster.

The development of "disaster-resistant fishing communities" outside of the affected areas is also being promoted.

## (4) Ensuring the safety of fish and fishery products against radioactive substances and regaining the trust of consumers

O Ensuring the safety of fish and fishery products in the wake of the TEPCO Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant accident is a key issue that Japan's fishing industry must deal with over the long term.

O Monitoring for radioactive substances in major catches depending on the species, season, habitat, and migratory route has been and will be strengthened through cooperation among the national government, prefectures, and related organizations. Based on the radioactive substance monitoring results, voluntary bans may be placed on catching certain species at the request of the prefectures and the independent discretion of fishers' organizations, so as to prevent the shipment of fish and fishery products containing radioactive substances in excess of the standard level.

O Shipping and consumption limits have been put in place for products exceeding the standard level according to the Act on Special Measures Concerning Nuclear Emergency Preparedness.

O It is important to promote accurate labeling, actively release monitoring results, and work to alleviate consumer concerns. It is important to promote accurate labeling, actively release monitoring results, and work to alleviate consumer concerns.

To respond to countries and regions who continue to maintain stringent regulations on Japanese foods including fish and fishery products in the wake of the TEPCO Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant accident, the Government needs to take every opportunity to persuade them to act objectively based on scientific evidence.

* This is an illustration of the basic policy. Some fishers’ groups may make their own decisions about the radiation levels subject to voluntary bans.
## Chapter II: Review of Japan's Fisheries since FY2010

## I ntroduction: The New Basic Plan for Fisheries

The New Basic Plan for Fisheries formulated in March 2012 defines recovery from the Great East Japan Earthquake as its top priority. It also calls for: (a) the full utilization of fishery resources primarily from the waters surrounding Japan, positioning resource management/fishery income compensation measures as a core policy; (b) the promotion of measures, including the creation of sixth industries and the improvement of sanitation control, in order to enhance processing, distribution, and consumption; and (c) the development of safe fishing communities.

The Plan sets the self-sufficiency rate of fish and fishery products for human consumption in 2022 at 70%.

## Section 1: Trends in fish and fishery product consumption, supply, and demand

## (1) Trends in fish and fishery product supply and demand

The supply of fish and fishery product for domestic human consumption in FY2010 fell 20% compared to FY2000.

Source: MAFF, Food Supply and Demand (FY2000); FY2010 Fisheries Agency survey

(2) Trends in fish and fishery product consumption

## (Expanding gap in the levels of meat and fish and fishery product consumption)

O Daily fish and fishery product consumption per capita continues to decline. In 2006, meat consumption surpassed fish consumption for the first time. The gap between meat and fish consumption grew in 2009 and 2010.

Source: Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare, National Nutrition Survey (2000-2002); National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2003-2010)
## (Trends in meat and fish consumption by age group)

O Looking at the daily levels of meat and fish consumption per capita by age group, fish consumption has declined and meat consumption has increased in all groups between 2000 and 2010. This trend is particularly noticeable in the 7 ~ 14, 15 ~ 19 and 40 ~ 49 age groups.

Source: Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare, National Nutrition Survey (2000); National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2010)

## (Fish and fishery products sustain healthy dietary habits of Japanese people; measures to boost fish consumption are needed)

O Fish and Fishery products contain various functional ingredients such as DHA and EPA. They are also rich in protein and low in calories.

O Fish and Fishery products are an important part of a healthy diet for Japanese people. It is important for producers, processors, distributors, retailers, and restaurateurs to work cooperatively on initiatives to expand their consumption.

## Functional ingredients in fish and fishery products

DHA (Docosahexaenoic acid)

Develops and maintains brain and nerve tissue functions; anti-allergenic; anti-inflammatory

Source: Standard Tables of Food Composition in Japan, 2010

EPA (Eicosapentaenoic acid)

Prevents thrombosis and vasoconstriction;

lowers blood lipids (mg per

Comparison of Nutrient Composition (per 100g)

Energy	Water	Protein	Lipids	Minerals	Vitamins	Fatty acids
Calcium	Iron	Vitamin D	Vitamin K	Vitamin B1	Folic acid	EPA	DHA
(Unit)	kcal	g	g	g	mg	mg	$ \mu $ g	$ \mu $ g	mg	$ \mu $ g	mg	mg
Chum salmon, raw	133	72.3	22.3	4.1	14	0.5	32	0	0.15	20	210	400
Pork (large) / Shoulder loin / with fat; raw	253	62.6	17.1	19.2	4	0.6	0.3	2	0.63	2	0	11

Source: Standard Tables of Food Composition in Japan, 2010

Note: The types of fresh fish and fresh meat purchased most often (salmon and pork) according to the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications' Household Budget Survey (FY2011) were selected as examples of commonly purchases foods
## (3) Trends in fish and fishery product imports and exports (Trends in Japan's fish and fishery product imports)

O Imports of some fish and fishery products rose in 2011 to offset the decreased domestic supply due to the Great East Japan Earthquake. However, the overall volume (2.69 million tons) was about the same as the previous year's level. Import value rose 6% to 1.4547 trillion yen.

Trends in fish and fishery product import volume and value

Source: Ministry of Finance, Trade Statistics

## (Trends in Japan's fish and fishery product exports)

Due to export restrictions stemming from the nuclear power plant accident and the high-valued yen, fish and fishery product exports in 2011 fell 25% from the previous year to 420,000 tons, and export value fell 11% from the previous year to 174.1 billion yen.

Trends in fish and fishery product export volume and value

Source: Ministry of Finance, Trade Statistics

## (4) Japan's self-sufficiency rate of fish and fishery products for human consumption

The self-sufficiency rate of fish and fishery products for human consumption has remained relatively unchanged in recent years, with the rate in FY2010 standing at 60%.

## Self-sufficiency rates of fish and fishery products for human consumption

Source: MAFF, Food Supply and Demand; FY2010 Fisheries Agency survey
## Section 2: Trends in Japan's fishing industry

## (1) Trends in fisheries and aquaculture

## (Domestic fishery and aquaculture production)

In 2010, domestic fishery and aquaculture production fell 2.2% from the previous year to 5.31 million tons. Production value increased 0.8% from the previous year to 1.4826 trillion yen in line with the increase in price of cultured red sea bream and oysters.

Fishery and aquaculture production volume and value

2010 (1,000 tons)
Production volume	Total	5,312
Marine	5,232
Fishery	4,121
Far seas fishery	480
Offshore fishery	2,355
Coastal fishery	1,286
Aquaculture	1,111
Inland water	79
Fishery	40
Aquaculture	39

2010 (10 million yen)
Total	14,826
Production amount	Marine	13,995
Fishery	9,711
Far seas fishery	...
Offshore fishery	...
Coastal fishery	...
Aquaculture	4,284
Inland water	830
Fishery	228
Aquaculture	602

Source: MAFF, Annual Statistics on Fishery and Aquaculture Production

Note: From 2007 onwards, figures of the fishery and aquaculture production categories of “Far seas fishery,” “Offshore fishery,” and “Coastal fishery” are estimates.

## (Trends in fishery workers and promotion of new recruits)

There were 203 thousand fishery workers in 2010 (-4.2% year-on-year), 35.9% of whom were aged 65 or older (+0.1% year-on-year).

☐ 1,867 new recruits were added in 2010. In order to secure new recruits and successors, the Government provides long-term training and other support both on-site and at fishery employment consultation events.

Trends in numbers of fishery workers

Source: MAFF, Census of Fisheries (through FY2008) and Report on the Survey of Fishing Industry Employment Trends (FY2009 onwards)

$ ^{*} $ 1: "Fishery workers" refer to persons aged 15 or older engaged in fishery operations at sea for at least 30 days in the past year.

$ ^{*} $ 2: The figures in parentheses are percentages of the total number of fishery workers.

$ ^{*} $ 3: Figures for 2003 and 2008 are not consecutive.
## (3) Ensuring the safety of fishing operations (Marine accident statistics)

There were 665 fishing vessels involved in marine accidents in 2011. The total number of deceased and missing persons was 64.

In 2011, 61 persons lost their lives or went missing by falling overboard in instances that were not marine accidents.

## Number of fishing vessels involved in marine accidents and number of dead and missing persons

Source: Japan Coast Guard

Note: Excludes marine accidents due to heavy snowfall in the Sanin region (2 vessels in 2010; 215 vessels in 2011)

## (Safety measures in fisheries)

In an effort to enhance safety in fishing operation, the Government is promoting the development of fishing vessel restructuring technologies (safety improvement measures) by a private organization. Support is also being provided for efforts to promote the usage of life jackets given their effectiveness in increasing the survival rates of persons who fall overboard.

## Survival rate of persons who fall overboard from fishing vessels (2011)

(Wearing a life jacket)

Source: Japan Coast Guard

(Not wearing a life jacket)

Campaign on life jacket usage promotion (workshop in session)

## (4) Trends in fishery cooperatives

O It will continue to be important for fishery cooperatives to respond to the various needs of fishers and to strengthen organizational structures and improve business management efficiency to that end. Given this, the Prefectural governments are promoting the merger of fishery cooperatives.

In FY2008, the Government established the Fishery Cooperative Management Reform Support Fund, which allows for the borrowing of funds to offset losses, to provide support to fishery cooperatives engaged in the development and implementation of management improvement plans, and since then has offered reduced interest rates among other measures.

Fishery cooperatives in coastal regions

Source: Fisheries Agency, Annual Report on Fishery Cooperatives
## (5) Trends in fish and fishery product distribution and processing

## (The status of fish and fishery product distribution)

O Most fishery products are sorted and loaded in wholesale fishery markets near the ports where they were landed, after which they are shipped to wholesale markets at the point of consumption. Products typically reach consumers after passing through two wholesale markets.

O Most wholesale fishery markets have small trade volumes and poor pricing power. Therefore, it is crucial to merge markets and concentrate facilities in order to enhance market function, invigorate trade and increase the income of fishers.

## (Current status of the fishery processing industry)

The value of shipments in the fishery processing industry in 2010 was 3.1225 trillion yen. This accounts for 12.9% of the total value of shipments in the food manufacturing industry.

☐ 61% of fish and fishery products for domestic human consumption is shipped to processors. The fishery processing industry holds an important position in the domestic fish and fishery product supply chain.

☐ The fishery processing industry is an invaluable core industry for fishers as well as fishing communities. 90% of the fishery processing plants are located in seaside municipalities.

Fish and fishery products for domestic human consumption by type

Source: Fisheries Agency survey

Number of fishery processing plants and value of shipments

Source: Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, Industry Statistics

$ ^{*} $ 1: “Salted-dried and salted product manufacturing” is a category that was added in 2002. Before 2002, it was included in “Miscellaneous seafood product manufacturing”.

$ ^{*} $ 2: Neither the number of plants nor the value of shipments include enterprises with less than three employees.
## Section 3: Trends in Japan's fishery resources and fishing grounds

## (1) Fishery resources in waters surrounding Japan

○ According to the FY2011 assessment for the state of fishery resources in waters surrounding Japan, approximately 40% of the evaluated stocks (33 stocks out of 84 stocks [52 species]) were at the low level.

○ In recent years, the percentage of low level stocks has fallen, while that for medium level stocks has risen.

State and level of fishery resources in waters surrounding Japan (FY2011)

Source: Fisheries Agency and the National Fishery Research Institute, Assessment of Fishery Resources in Japan's Surrounding Waters

## O Signs of recovery in Japanese sardines

Japanese sardine is known for long term, repeated large fluctuations in their stock size. The Japanese sardine catch volume reached 4.5 million tons in 1988, but fell steadily thereafter, hitting a bottom of approximately 28,000 tons in 2005.

There are two stocks of Japanese sardines in waters surrounding Japan, the Pacific stock and the Tsushima Warm Current stock. The Fishery Research Agency’s latest assessment indicates that both stocks are increasing.

At its peak (1987), the harvest from the Pacific stock was 3 million tons, and this same stock has recently shown a clear increase in the number of individuals born in 2010.

To ensure the full-scale recovery of the Japanese sardine, it is important to take appropriate measures, especially securing a sufficient quantity of spawning stocks by avoiding overfishing of the growing population.

Japanese sardine

(Scientific name: Sardinops melanostictus)

## (2) Implementation of resource management frameworks

## (Public regulations and voluntary resource management by fishers)

O Around Japan, there is a diverse array of fishing practices for each target fish species. This is why the Government imposes various public regulations based on the characteristics of each species and type of fishing practice, such as fishing rights awarded by prefectural governors, national and prefectural fishing permits, and the Total Allowable Catch (TAC) system, as part of its fishery resources management policy.

○ In addition to public regulation, Japan's fishery resources management includes voluntary resource management measures, such as temporary fishing bans and fish length restrictions, implemented by fishers.
## (New resource management system: Resource Management Policies / Resource Management Plans)

In 2011, a new system was introduced in which fishery organizations drafted Resource Management Plans based on the Resource Management Policies formulated at the national and prefectural levels.

This new systems covers coastal, offshore, and far seas fishing operations, and by March 31, 2012, more than 1,400 Resource Management Plans had been drawn up and implemented.

Under this new resource management system, the Government promotes nationwide resource management together with agencies, research institutions, and fishers.

## (Promoting the development of resources through seedling release)

At the prefectural level, approximately 80 species of sea creatures, including scallops, sea urchins, abalone, prawns, flounder, red sea bream, and salmon, are now subject to seedling release.

O It is important for the prefectures to work together to ensure the effective production and release of seedlings. In 2011, six Regional Sea-Farming Promotion Committees were established throughout Japan as part of a new system for promoting sea-farming.
## Section 4: International affairs surrounding the fishing industry

## (1) State of world fisheries and aquaculture production

The global fishery production volume peaked after the second half of the 1980s. In 2010, production volume was 89.52 million tons. By country, China has the highest volume, accounting for 17.5% worldwide. By fish species, production volume of herrings, sardines and anchovies is the largest, accounting for 18.8% of the overall volume.

☐ Global aquaculture production continues to increase, centering on China. In 2010, the production volume was 78.94 million tons. By country, China has the highest volume, accounting for 60.6% worldwide. By fish species, carps represent the highest volume, making up 30.7% of the total.

Trends in global fishery production (by country)

Trends in global aquaculture production (by country)

Trends in global fishery production (by fish species)

Trends in global aquaculture production (by fish species)

Source: FAO, Fishstat (Aquaculture production) (for countries other than Japan) and MAFF, Statistics on Fishery and Aquaculture Production (Japan)

(2) Status of world fish and fishery product consumption

Due to the prevalence of healthy diets in advanced nations and improved dietary standards in developing countries, the global consumption of fish and fishery products continues to increase. The annual global consumption of fish and fishery products per capita has increased seven-fold over the last 50 years.

Trends in the annual global supply of fish and fishery products for human consumption by country (per capita)