Silviase/jgov_v1.4_full_ann huggingface dataset:
As part of the efforts on Shokuiku, the Japanese Food Guide Spinning Top was created. This is an easy-to-understand illustrated guide on the favorable meal composition and daily amount of food. Using this guide, we promote implementation of a Japanese dietary pattern, which combines a variety of side dishes with rice.

In the Special Public Opinion Poll on Shokuiku conducted by the Cabinet Office (released in September 2005), about 70% of the respondents answered that they were interested in Shokuiku. To meet such a high level of public interest, efforts are being made in various locations to convey the benefits of eating fish through Shokuiku programs.

In Ehime Prefecture, research was conducted, with aid from the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF), on an educational program based on six gyoshoku concepts: touching fish, fish color (category), fisheries jobs, aquaculture, fish as traditional ornaments, and fish eating (which can all be expressed as gyoshoku using different kanji characters). This is a comprehensive gyoshoku education program for elementary and lower secondary school students and their parents and guardians. In this program, the students learn about fish eating after going through the process of learning about the five other gyoshoku. These five are: touching fish, where students learn about fish through hands-on activities such as actually touching and cooking fish, fish color (category), where students learn information on fish itself such as the types of fish and their nutrients, fisheries jobs and aquaculture, where students learn about fish production and distribution sites, and fish as traditional ornaments, where students learn about Japanese traditional fish culture such as the ornamental lobster used for a New Year's decoration and sea bream used for celebration.

The Women’s Forum for Fish (WFF), a citizens’ group for promoting fisheries and fish-eating culture, has been making steady efforts to help children, who will support the future dietary life, learn their ties with the sea. In one of their programs, Hama No Kāsan To Katarō Kai (Talking session with seashore mothers), elementary school students in urban areas learn about the sea and fish from mothers from fishing villages every year. In 2005, seashore mothers from Hokkaido Prefecture who brought marbled
sole, those from Toyama Prefecture who brought red snow crab, and those from Miyagi Prefecture who brought saury cooked their specialty dishes with students and talked with the students while eating the dishes together. Also, children reporters, who were chosen from the students who participated in the session, went to Shinminato City in Toyama Prefecture, and gathered information on the fishing village through trying out fishing and making exchanges with local children.

The Miyazaki Fisheries Cooperative Federation also holds a Fish Cooking Class every year at several upper secondary schools in the prefecture, and teaches students how to cut and cook fish including bonito. Such effort is made throughout the nation, mainly by women’s divisions and the working-aged men’s divisions of fisheries cooperatives.

Cooking fish dishes with a seashore mother (WFF)

Children reporters gathering information at a fish market (WFF)
### 2. Impact of fuel oil price hike -Efforts to shift to energy-efficient fishing-

Crude oil prices continue to rise worldwide. At the end of August 2005, the price of U.S. WTI crude $ ^{1} $ marked a record high at 69.81 U.S. dollars per barrel $ ^{2} $ (near-month $ ^{3} $ closing price $ ^{4} $ ), doubling from the level in 2003 when the price shifted around 30 U.S. dollars per barrel in only two years.

The price hike is reported to be attributable to the following four factors: (i) a surge in oil demand in China and other parts of the world (structural factor); (ii) a decline in OPEC nations' surplus production capacity (structural factor); (iii) destabilizing factors in oil supply including hurricane damage in the United States and the situation in the Middle East; and (iv) short-term fluctuations due to speculation. The crude oil prices are expected to stay at the current level for some time in the future.

The crude oil price hike has pushed up the prices of oil products overall, and this is expected to affect various fields. In the fisheries field, there is concern that the price hike would seriously affect fishery management, because the share of fuel cost in the total cost is higher compared to other industries due to delay in energy conservation efforts, and it is difficult to pass the cost on in the prices of the fish caught. For example,

supposing that the fuel oil price is at the same level as at the end of 2005 and that the amount of fuel oil used remains at the same level as in FY2003, the annual average fuel oil cost for small- and medium-vessel fisheries would be about 7 million yen higher than that in FY2003.
In such circumstances, with the aim to promote structural reform toward achieving sustainable and robust fishery management, even with the current crude oil price level, fishery operator groups have created a work schedule, which will serve as a guidepost for fishery operators' energy conservation efforts, for the respective fishery types and regions according to their individual situations. Henceforth, fishery operators' energy conservation efforts will be promoted based on this work schedule.

With respect to the crude oil price hike, the relevant ministries and agencies of the Government will take countermeasures in coordination with each other.

In the Funds for Emergency Comprehensive Measures to Strengthen the Nature of Fishery Management, which was set up by the FY2005 supplementary budget in order to urgently support the efforts of fishery operators and their groups, and in the FY2006 budget, the Government will support the efforts made based on the work schedule, including the efforts to improve the efficiency of the fuel oil distribution by associations of fisheries cooperatives and energy conservation efforts through cooperative work between fishery operators. Additionally, with the aim to improve the efficiency of the fuel oil distribution by associations of fisheries cooperatives, the Government will support efforts to consolidate or relocate fuel oil tanks or to introduce an automatic management system based on a Plan to Improve Efficiency of Physical Distribution formulated for the respective prefectures. It is expected that the price of fuel oil supplied to fishery operators can be lowered by cutting personnel costs and facility management costs through these efforts.

Furthermore, the Government will support a shift to energy-efficient fishing in both tangible and intangible aspects through promoting cooperative work including joint operations using scouting vessels for group operation and encouraging squid fishery operators to shift to using light-emitting diode (LED) fishing lights that only consume about one-thirtieth of the electric power consumed by conventional lights.

Fishery operators are also able to introduce energy-saving facilities and equipment by using the Support Project for Industries for Increasing the Efficient Use of Energy.

Prefectural governments are also providing interest subsidies to financial institutions in order to urgently accommodate funds to fishery operators making energy conservation efforts at a low interest rate, and conducting activities to raise fishery operators' awareness for reducing the amount of fuel used for fishing vessels.

At the same time, as a medium-term effort, the Government will consider structural reform of fisheries using fishing vessels including a shift to low-cost management through laborsaving measures.
It is hoped that fishery operators will engage in energy conservation and cost reduction efforts using these support measures, and shift to energy-efficient fishing as early as possible.
### 3. Infestation of large jellyfish -Measures against damages from large jellyfish-

Year 2005 saw an infestation of large jellyfish in the East China Sea. The jellyfish drifted ashore on the coast of Japan and inflicted great damage on fisheries. During the period from September to the end of December of 2005, a total of about 1,022,000 cases of damages were reported.

Large jellyfish collectively refers to echizen jellyfish, bizen jellyfish, and hizen jellyfish. The size of large adult jellyfish could reach 150 cm or more in diameter and 150 kg in weight. The type that is drifting to the Japanese coast in large number is the echizen jellyfish. Their infestation had been rare in the past, but they have recently been observed in considerably large numbers for two consecutive years in 2002 and 2003, with several thousands of them being caught in set nets in a single day in some notable cases. In 2005, large jellyfish were witnessed in the East China Sea and in Tsushima, Nagasaki Prefecture, in early July, about one month earlier than they had appeared in previous years. Then, the jellyfish spread out widely by moving from the Sea of Japan northward, crossing the Tsugaru Straits, and moving towards the Pacific Ocean southward. Large jellyfish were also observed in large numbers off Shikoku, on the coast of the Seto Inland Sea and on the coast of Tokai and Kanto.

Many troubles related to large jellyfish have been reported. They become caught in nets, mainly set nets and purse seines, around the nation, and destroy fishing gear, reduce the freshness of fish caught, and interfere with fishing work.

In response to this situation, the Government, prefectures, universities, and persons involved in fisheries made concerted efforts to counter the large jellyfish, including removing jellyfish in the sea.

At the second joint international workshop on large jellyfish among China, South Korea, and Japan held in China in December 2005, researchers from the three countries made a large number of reports on the ecology,
countermeasures, and usage of jellyfish, and discussed joint research. In the future, the Government will provide subsidies to the costs required for removing jellyfish based on the Funds for Emergency Comprehensive Measures to Strengthen the Nature of Fishery Management, which was set up by the FY2005 supplementary budget, and continue to take countermeasures including joint research with China and South Korea for elucidating the cause of the infestation.
### 4. Proud heritage of the sea and ports

-A selection of 100 historical and cultural heritage sites and heirlooms related to fisheries and fishing villages which we would like to hand down to future generations-

The fisheries industry and fishing villages not only supply fishery products, but also play other diverse roles including providing opportunities for exchanges, such as marine recreation and experiential learning opportunities, and passing on region-specific food culture and traditional culture from generation to generation. With the aim to discover such appealing characteristics of fishing villages and spotlight the history and culture that may become forgotten, “A selection of 100 historical and cultural heritage sites and heirlooms related to fisheries and fishing villages which we would like to hand down to future generations” was created in February 2006.

With a view to not only include heritage sites that are already famous, but also identify not so well-known facilities, historic sites, and ruins all over the country, applications were invited from the public, and historical heritage sites that have derived from fishery operations, highly cultural heritage sites, and facilities that have laid the foundation of fisheries were selected by a screening committee consisting of fisheries experts as well as a tourism expert, a writer, and a photographer.

The selected 100 heritage sites and heirlooms can be viewed on the National Association of Fisheries Infrastructure website (http://www.gyokou.or.jp/index.htm [in Japanese only]).

Hobiki bune (sailing vessels) in the Kitaura part of the Kasumigaura Lake, which once disappeared with the motorization of fishing vessels, but were later revitalized for cruise boats (Ibaraki Prefecture).

Funaya (boat storage), also referred to as mogoya (alga storage) built at a rocky beach without a wharf with piled beach stones and thatched roofs (Tsushima City, Nagasaki Prefecture).

Stone walls built in the late 19 $ ^{th} $ century to protect the houses in the fishing village from the strong northwestern wind in winter (Ainan Town, Ehime Prefecture).

Kobaya bune of the annual Kifune Festival of the Kifune Shrine, established in 889 (Manatsuru Town, Kanagawa Prefecture).
### 5. Say “No!” to tuna overfishing

-Efforts to strengthen resource management by regional fisheries management organizations-

Tuna and other highly migratory fish stocks must be appropriately controlled by establishing regional fisheries management organizations for the respective migratory ranges and taking measures including trade restrictions with the cooperation of the countries concerned.

In 2005, significant progress was seen in the efforts of the regional fisheries management organizations.

The Indian Ocean Tuna Commission (IOTC), $ ^{1} $ the Inter-American Tropical Tuna Commission (IATTC), $ ^{2} $ the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT), $ ^{3} $ and the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission (WCPFC) $ ^{4} $ addressed the issue of Taiwanese fishing vessels allegedly overfishing bigeye tuna and disguising the fishing areas in their annual meetings. In particular, the ICCAT took restriction measures against Taiwan, including a drastic reduction in the catch quota for 2006 and reduction in the number of vessels.

At the annual meeting of the ICCAT, it was decided that, in order to strictly manage the catching of bluefin tuna to be brought to fish farms,

imports of bluefin tuna from fish farms that are not registered with the ICCAT and those that do not collect data on fish sizes based on the recommendation of the ICCAT will be prohibited.

Japan will continue to actively promote control of fishing capacity and measures against illegal fishing vessels, and strive to secure sustainable use of tuna resources through strengthening the efforts of regional fisheries management organizations.
### I. Special Feature: Attempts of Landing Areas to Meet Consumer Needs

1. Changes in consumption and distribution of fishery products as well as buying behavior and awareness of consumers

## (1) Changes in consumption of fishery products

Although the annual per capita supplied volume of fresh fishery products (including frozen products) has generally increased over the past 40 years, the annual per capita purchased volume has gradually declined (see Figure I-1-1).

Figure I-1-1 Transition in Per Capita Supplied Volume and Purchased Volume of Fresh Fishery Products (Including Frozen Products)

Sources: Data for “gross food” and “net food” taken from “Food Balance Sheet,” Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries; data for “purchased volume” taken from “Family Income and Expenditure Survey” (two-or-more-person households [excluding agricultural, forestry and fisheries households]), Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications.

Notes: 1. “Purchased volume” includes fresh fish in their entire form and those with minimum processing such as being frozen, washed, cut, and removed of inedible parts.

2. Data do not include products for processing such as salting and drying, smoking, and canning, or products that have been processed in such ways.

One of the reasons for this is that it has become less common for consumers to directly purchase fresh fishery products, since they have come to consume more fresh fishery products through eating-out and home meal replacement (HMR) $ ^{5} $ (see Figure
I-1-2).

During this period, the expenditures for eating-out and HMR have greatly increased their shares in household food expenditures. The growth of the eating-out market has recently stopped, but the HMR market including boxed meals, rice balls, and ready meal components has continued to grow. The growth is mainly attributable to: (i) an increase in the number of single-member and two-member households; and (ii) an increase in the number of working women.

Figure I-1-2 Transition in the Proportion of Food Items and Eating Styles in Food Expenditures

Source: Created based on “Family Income and Expenditure Survey” (two-or-more-person households [excluding agricultural, forestry and fisheries households]), Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications. Note: “Prepared foods” refer to industrially processed foods as well as those of which all or part of the cooking generally conducted at home or restaurants are done. They include frozen prepared foods, retort-packed foods, and foods that have multiple cooked ingredients. Specifically, they are boxed meals, rice balls, sandwiches, Chinese steamed buns, retort-packed foods, and ready meal components, among other foods. They do not include instant noodles (with or without cups).

Another reason for the decline in the purchased volume of fresh fishery products despite the growing supply is the increased consumer preference for products in the forms of fillets and sashimi (thinly-sliced seafood made to eat raw). In other words, they have come to be sold and purchased after removing the inedible parts such as the head and bones (accounting for about 45% of the whole volume of a fish).

Consumers’ most preferred form of fresh fishery products for purchases at
supermarkets, at fish stores, and through home delivery services including those of co-ops is fillets. Sashimi is also in high demand. In short, products in easy-to-prepare or ready-to-eat forms are currently quite popular (see Figure I-1-6).

Figure I-1-6 Most Preferred Form of Fishery Products for Purchases (up to two answers)

Source: “Survey on Consumption Fishery Products” (FY2004 Fisheries Agency-aided project), Japan Fisheries Association.
## (2) Buying behavior and awareness of consumers

The point that consumers take note of when buying food products is “freshness or the degree of deterioration” for fresh fishery products and vegetables, far outstripping the second-ranking point of note. The first-ranking point is “place of origin and brand” for meat (see Figure I-1-8). Additionally, consumers tend to choose fish and vegetable stores by the “freshness” of their products.

Figure I-1-8 Point to Take Note When Buying Food Products

Source: “Buying Behavior for Food Products” (FY2003 Food Products Consumption Monitor, results of the third regular survey), Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries.

Note: Number of respondents was 1,010.
(3) Expanding market share of mass merchandisers and survival strategies of fish retailers

Fresh fishery products are most frequently bought at supermarkets. Supermarkets commanded about a 70% share in 2003 (see Figure I-1-16).

Figure I-1-16 Changes in Places for Purchasing Fresh Fishery products Over the Years

Source: “Food Purchase Trend” (3rd Food Consumer Monitor Survey, FY2003), Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries.

Consumers choose supermarkets due to their convenience, stating “they are conveniently located.” Meanwhile, about 90% of those who choose fish retailers mention the freshness of the products, stating “there are many fresh products.” Those who choose home delivery services such as those of co-ops mention the feeling of safety, stating “there is a feeling of safety in the products.”

Supermarket chains have many large stores and purchase large volumes of products in a systematic manner, so they tend to mainly deal in fish species that are distributed in large volumes such as tuna and salmon or imported products that come in large lots. Therefore, they cannot sufficiently supply seasonal fish of diverse kinds that are caught on the coast or adjacent waters of Japan.

The number of fish stores has considerably decreased. However, they differentiate themselves from mass merchandisers by providing detailed customer service such as recommending seasonal fish and giving advice on how to cook them, making the most of face-to-face sales, and offering a season-conscious product line-up by selling various kinds of seasonal fish according to the market conditions.
Figure I-1-20 Customer Service Provided by Fish Retailers (multiple answers)

Source: “Report about the State of Running on Food Specialty Retailers (Fish)” (March 2003), Organization of Food-Marketing Structure Improvement.

## (4) Rapid diversification of the distribution routes for fishery products

Since supermarkets that require four stable supply conditions (consistent volume, quality, prices, and deliveries) have come to command most of the retail share, there has been an increase in direct transactions that do not go through the wholesale markets in the consuming areas, and even in transactions through the wholesale markets, negotiated transactions are increasing.

In the area of fishery products as well, some producers and fishery cooperatives are independently cultivating markets through business to consumer (B to C) transactions and business to business (B to B) transactions via the Internet.

The percentage of the retail price that is received by the producers is 30% to 40% for vegetables, but it is about 20% to 30% for fishery products. The distribution margin for fishery products tends to become high because fishery products have a six-step distribution system, which is one step more than the system for vegetables, because they go through the wholesale markets in the landing areas, while they also require constant refrigeration to be kept fresh and incur costs in order to be processed into fillets and sashimi.
In the case where a retailer directly procures products from a landing area (three-step distribution system), the distribution margin is kept low due to shorter distribution route, resulting in a higher price received by the producers and lower retail prices compared to products using the six-step distribution system (see Figure I-1-25).

Figure I-1-25 Comparison Between Six-Step Distribution System and Three-Step Distribution System (Jack Mackerel)

Source: “Survey on Tracing Food Prices at Various Stages of Distribution (Survey on Fishery Products)” (April 2003), Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries.

Notes: 1. The price by distribution step (left graph) shows the price per kg. However, the price of a product sold by removing the inedible parts such as the head and bones was converted to the price for the entire product before removing the inedible parts.

2. The survey was conducted by tracing back the distribution route of products that were sold at retailers in Tokyo on October 30, 2001.

## (5) Facts about the high fish prices in consuming areas and low fish prices in landing areas

Nearly 60% of households with a child or children in elementary or lower secondary school have fish for dinner twice a week or less. The most notable reason was “fish is more expensive than meat,” accounting for about 40%. On the part of the fishery workers, however, the fish prices remain low amidst the rising fuel oil prices, so they even have difficulty in collecting the fuel oil cost. Thus, the awareness of fish prices differs considerably between producers and consumers.