Silviase/jgov_v1.4_full_ann huggingface dataset:
Figure I-1-27 Frequency of Having Fishery Products for Dinner and Reasons for Low Frequency

How many days a week do you have dishes using fishery products for dinner on average (including eating-out, ready meal components, and boxed meals)?

Source: “Survey on Consumption Fishery Products” (FY2004 Fisheries Agency-aided project), Japan Fisheries Association.

For example, common mackerel are divided into those for fresh products, those for processing, and those for feed according to their size, and their wholesale price per kg in the landing area differs greatly based on their type of use. The price of common mackerel for processing is half, and the price of those for feed is one-tenth of the price of those for fresh products. The wholesale price in the landing area for common mackerel for fresh products is about 40% of the retail price (fresh products), but the average wholesale price in the landing area for common mackerel for all types of use is less than 20%. Therefore, the relation between the wholesale price in the landing area and the retail price differs considerably depending on which wholesale price is compared (see Table I-1-1).
Table I-1-1 Wholesale Price in Landing Area and Retail Price of Common Mackerel by Type of Use

(yen/kg)

For fresh products	For freezing	For feed	Price in landing area (average for all types of use)
Wholesale price in landing area = A	223	105	24	98
Percentage to the price of common mackerel for “fresh products”	100%	47%	11%	44%
Retail price (fresh products) = B	533
Percentage of wholesale price in landing area to retail price (fresh products) = A/B	42%	18%

Sources: Wholesale prices in landing area by type of use (“for fresh products,” “for freezing,” and “for feed”) are data surveyed by the Japan Fisheries Information Service Center. Data for “price in landing area (average for all types of use)” are based on “Annual Statistics on Marketing of Fishery Products” (203 major fishing ports), Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries. As for the retail price, based on an assumption that only the edible part (60%) of the fish has been sold by removing the head and bones, the average purchase price (per 100g) of [fresh fishery products: common mackerel] in “Family Income and Expenditure Survey,” Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications, was converted to the price per 600g (equivalent to 1kg of whole fish).

Notes: 1. All prices are the average prices for the period of 1999 to 2003.

2. A common mackerel “for fresh products” weighs roughly 400g or more, that “for freezing” weighs roughly 300g to 399g, and that “for feed” weighs roughly 299g or less.

Since the shipment volume of common mackerel for fresh products is relatively stable and that of products for processing does not change drastically, when the production volume increases, the proportion of common mackerel for feed increases and results in a fall in the price in the landing area (average for all types of use).

In 1997, when common mackerel for fresh products only accounted for 10%, and those for feed took up 70% of the share, the price in the landing area (average for all types of use) was 62 yen/kg. However, in 1999, when the share of common mackerel for fresh products increased to 20%, and that for feed dropped to 50%, the price rose to 108 yen/kg.

In 2005, the production volume increased considerably, centering on small fish (for feed), so the price in the landing area (average for all types of use) fell close to 40 yen/kg.

While the wholesale price in the consuming area (fresh products; mainly domestic products) has stayed at around 300 yen/kg, the import price for common mackerel (frozen), which are generally larger than domestic products, has been rising due to an increase in global demand, reaching the same level as the price of domestic fresh products (see Figure I-1-28).

The challenge is to take strategic measures for raising the added value, such as
mainly catching fish for fresh products and for freezing due to their high wholesale prices in the landing area, and shipping small fish that are categorized as products for feed after farming them into a bigger size so as to be categorized as products to be eaten by humans.

Figure I-1-28 Production Volume of Common Mackerel and Their Price in Landing Area, Price in Consuming Area, and Import Price

Shipment volume by type of use and price in landing area, price in consuming area, and import price (Common mackerel; 1994 to 2004)

Landed volume and price in landing area, price in consuming area, and import price (Common mackerel; 2004 to 2005; monthly)

Sources: Created based on “Annual Statistics on Marketing of Fishery Products,” Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, and “Trade Statistics” (import price [frozen]), Ministry of Finance.

Notes: 1. Price in the landing area (average for all types of use) is the average price in 203 fishing ports.

2. Wholesale price in the consuming area (fresh products) is the average price in the central wholesale markets of ten cities.

3. Shipment volume by type of use in the left graph is the average volume at 32 major fishing ports.

4. Landed volume in the right graph is the average volume at 19 major fishing ports.

## (6) Need for strengthening the selling ability of the landing area

Consumer needs are extensive, including freshness, convenience, and low price, and also vary by age group. Therefore, it is important to consider how to meet the changing consumer needs by making the most of the advantages of domestic fishery products, such as their freshness, diversity, and seasonality, amidst the competition with imported fishery products and non-fishery products.

Since the places of purchase of fishery products are changing, and distribution routes are diversifying, there is a need to strengthen the selling ability of the landing area.
In order to do so, it is important to promote the structural reform of the market in the landing area. There are about 900 markets in landing areas around the nation, but many of them are small and their price-making ability has declined due to a decrease in landed volume. Therefore, there is a need to integrate small markets in landing areas to restore their market functions and increase their selling ability.

Additionally, it is important to make active selling efforts such as those of fisheries cooperatives independently acquiring the right to bid in market auctions and entering the distribution business or conducting sales promotion to large supermarkets.
## The more you eat fish, the less risk of cardiac infarction

- Study group of the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare-

The docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) contained in fish oils are known to help prevent lifestyle-related diseases by inhibiting the formation of blood clots, and to enhance brain development. There have been overseas research reports indicating that eating fish prevents ischemic heart diseases including cardiac infarction, even if the intake is only once or twice a week. However, there had been no report on whether the effect to prevent ischemic heart diseases would increase by eating a large amount of fish, more than once or twice a week. Thus, a study group of the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare conducted a follow-up survey on the relation between the lifestyle habits, including diet and ischemic heart diseases, for about 40,000 male and female samples living in Iwate, Akita, Nagano, and Okinawa Prefectures, for about 11 years starting in 1990.

During the follow-up period, a total of 258 samples, 207 males and 51 females had ischemic heart diseases. When the relevance of the amount of fish intake was analyzed for these samples by excluding the influences of other factors such as old age and smoking, the risk of ischemic heart diseases for the group with the largest intake (equivalent to eight times a week) was 63% of such risk for the group with the smallest intake (equivalent to once a week). When narrowing down the risk to cases of receiving a definite diagnosis of cardiac infarction by electrocardiogram and blood tests, the risk for the group with the largest intake was 44% of the risk for the group with the smallest intake, indicating a more obvious decline in the risk (see figure). Japanese people’s per capita consumption volume of fishery products is among the highest in the world. This study revealed that fish is expected to have the effect of preventing ischemic heart diseases merely by eating it once or twice a week, but the preventive effect becomes higher by eating it more frequently.

Source: Website of Japan Public Health Center-based Prospective Study (http://epi.ncc.go.jp/jphc/)
### 2. Examples of efforts in landing areas

## (1) Fisheries cooperative's active sales promotion to large supermarkets

Fisheries Cooperative A in Fukushima Prefecture makes direct transactions with large supermarket chains in the Tokyo metropolitan area. It conducts active sales promotion by actually visiting the stores and giving advice on arranging the selling space in an effective manner.

## (2) Increasing safety and improving quality of silver salmon farming

Date No Gin is a brand of silver salmon farmed in Miyagi Prefecture. Efforts are being made to improve its quality by using originally developed feed and to build trust by making full disclosure of its production history.

## (3) Seafood market in landing area attracting tourists and promoting local consumption of local products

Karo Ichi, a seafood market in Karo Port, Tottori Prefecture, made success as a new tourist spot using the local marine products. The market is crowded with people seeking fresh and low-price products.
## (4) Trawl fishery’s survival strategy of cultivating new markets including restaurants

Company B, which engages in offshore trawl fishery in Yawatahama City, Ehime Prefecture, sells processed products to local welfare facilities and directly sells its products via the Internet.

(10,000 yen) Transition in Sales of Company B’s Distribution Division
(5) Wholesaler-led branding activity that links the landing areas and retailers

Company C, a wholesaler of fishery products based in the Tsukiji fish market in Tokyo, launched the Otakara Burando (precious brand product) series in cooperation with landing areas nationwide and retailers.
## (6) Direct delivery of fresh fishery products from landing area using the Internet

Company D, a general trading company, launched an Internet shopping service called Nippon Jizakana Kikō (Traveling around Japan for local fish) in collaboration with landing areas, and delivers very fresh, tasty fish to customers.

## (7) Developing a fisheries city through collaboration between industry, academia, and government

Hakodate City is making efforts to become an academic and research center in the field of fisheries and marine study, based on the accumulations of research institutions including universities and collaboration between industry, academia, and government. As a result of such efforts, new technology has been developed including technology to package and distribute live squid.

## Collaboration Between Local Community and Academic/Research Institutions
### 3. Key points in strengthening the selling ability of the landing area

## (1) Establishing high-quality products and brand products supported by scientific production/distribution management

Efforts for scientific production management and distribution management are the key to the success of establishing high-quality fishery products and brand fishery products. Coordination and cooperation between industry and government will also be important.

## (2) Securing transparency for consumers through active information disclosure

It is important to respond to consumer interest in food safety by advertising the efforts for increasing safety and making the production and distribution transparent for consumers.

## (3) Promoting sales by developing new products and collaborating between different industries

Flexible ideas and thinking, including development of new products that precisely adapt to changing consumer needs, commercialization of home-made meals that incorporate women's viewpoint, and making diet proposals in collaboration with food manufacturers, lead to strengthening the selling ability of landing areas.

## (4) Diversified efforts of landing areas to make effective use of local fish

There are many successful cases of business diversification through effective use of the aspects of fisheries and fishing villages to provide opportunities for exchange, such as opening facilities for direct sales of local fishery products or seafood restaurants and providing opportunities for trial fishing.

## (5) Cultivating new markets through use of information and communications technology (ICT)

The Internet market for direct sales of products from landing areas is rapidly expanding. There are also cases of digital and information integration of markets in landing areas by using ICT.

## (6) Penetration into overseas markets through active sales promotion activities

Exports of fishery products to China are increasing due to an increase in higher income groups in the coastal areas of China. It is important to cultivate overseas markets.
### I I. Trends in Japanese Fisheries since FY2004

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

## (1) Domestic fishery production

In 2004, the fishery production volume in Japan declined by 5% from the previous year to 5.78 million tons (see Table II-1-1). Meanwhile, the fishery production value increased by 0.9% to 1,604.9 billion yen.

Table II-1 Fishery and Aquaculture Production Volume

1993	1998	2002	2003	2004	Increase rate (%) from 2003 to 2004
Total	810	663	588	608	578	-5.1
Marine fishery	659	524	443	472	446	-5.7
Far seas fishery	106	83	69	60	54	-11.1
Offshore fishery	372	280	226	254	241	-5.4
Coastal fishery	181	160	149	158	151	-4.0
Marine aquaculture	134	125	133	125	121	-2.9
Inland water fishery and aquaculture	17	13	11	11	11	-3.9

Source: “Annual Statistics of Fishery and Aquaculture Production,” Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Notes: 1) Due to fractional rounding, component figures may not add up to the exact totals shown.

2) Inland water fishery and aquaculture production in and after 2003 covers trout, Ayu (sweetfish), carp and eel at 148 major rivers and 28 lakes.

According to the results of a resource assessment conducted in 2005, the levels of fishery resources are low for more than half of the fish species or stocks on which the assessment was conducted (see Table II-1-3).

Table II-1-3 Resource Levels of Fish Stocks (Summary)

Resource level	2004	2005	Main species or stocks
High	12 stocks	13 stocks	Saury (stock in Northwest Pacific), Japanese common squid (autumn stock), red sea bream (stock in Middle Pacific), and others
Medium	30 stocks	30 stocks	Jack mackerel (stock in Pacific; stock in Tsushima warm current), snow crab (stock in North Pacific; stock in Sea of Japan), sandfish (stock in western Sea of Japan; stock in northern Sea of Japan), and others
Low	49 stocks	50 stocks	Pacific mackerel (stock in Pacific; stock in Tsushima warm current), Alaska pollack (stock in northern Sea of Japan; stock in Pacific), snow crab (stock in Sea of Okhotsk), Japanese pilchard (stock in Pacific; stock in Tsushima warm current), and others

Source: “Marine Fisheries Stock Assessment and Evaluation for Japanese Waters,” Fisheries Agency and Fisheries Research Agency.
In FY2005, the Government formulated and implemented seven new plans including the Resource Recovery Plan for Red Snow Crab in the Offshore Area of the Sea of Japan and the Resource Recovery Plan for Machi (Blue Fusilier, Lavender Jobfish, Crimson Snapper, and Ruby Snapper) in the Waters of the Nansei Islands.

In 2005, there was an infestation of large jellyfish from the Sea of Japan to the Pacific Ocean for the fourth consecutive year, and this caused considerable damage to fisheries. The Government established funds for emergency measures with the FY2005 supplementary budget and took measures including removal of jellyfish in the sea with the FY2006 budget (see Topics 3 at p.6).

In June 2004, the Invasive Alien Species Law was enacted. Four species including largemouth bass were designated as invasive alien species in June 2005, followed by nine fish species and four genera of six species of invertebrates in February 2006.

In order to prevent and reduce damages to fisheries caused by river cormorants, measures were taken to prevent river cormorants from coming to fishing grounds, and eliminate them.

## (2) Fishery product trade

Japan’s fishery product imports in 2004 increased by 5% over the previous year in volume to 3.49 million tons, and increased by 4% over the previous year in value to 1,637.1 billion yen (see Table II-1-4).
Table II-1-4 Transition in Import Volume and Value of Fishery Products by Major Item

1994	1999	2002	2003	2004	Increase rate (%) from 2003 to 2004
Percentage distribution (%)
Total import volume of fishery products	3,296	3,416	3,821	3,325	3,485	5
Total import value of fishery products	17,091	17,395	17,622	15,692	16,371	100	4
Shrimp	3,753	3,049	2,974	2,481	2,380	15	-4
Tuna/marlin	1,865	2,305	2,434	2,229	2,337	14	5
Salmon/trout	1,313	1,340	1,046	1,016	1,036	6	2
Crab	1,229	1,049	898	854	807	5	-5
Prepared eel	872	777	625	412	657	4	59
Cod roe	437	580	511	523	598	4	14
Prepared shrimp	177	352	475	483	522	3	8
Squid	570	491	460	417	437	3	5
Others	6,876	7,453	8,199	7,277	7,599	46	4

Source: “Trade Statistics,” Ministry of Finance.

Notes: 1. Volume indicates the weight in the product form upon customs clearance.

2. Shrimp, tuna/marlin, salmon/trout, crab, and squid show the total values for live, fresh, refrigerated, and frozen products.

3. Cod roe shows the total value for fresh, refrigerated, frozen, salted, and smoked products.

Internationally, Japan has remained as the world’s largest fishery product importer both in volume and value, accounting for 18% of the world’s total fishery product import value and 11% of total import volume (as of 2003). China has raised its position as a fishery product exporter in recent years, and became the world’s top exporter in value and the second largest exporter in volume in 2003 (see Table II-1-6).
Table II-1-6 World Fishery Product Trade (Five Largest Exporters and Importers in Value and Volume Terms in 2003)

Value: million dollars Volume: 10,000 tons
Imports	Value (Share, %)	World total 68,262 100	Japan 12,624 18	U.S.A. 11,758 17	Spain 4,919 7	France 3,803 6	Italy 3,571 5
Volume (Share, %)	World total 2,856 100	Japan 321 11	China 232 8	U.S.A. 224 8	Spain 161 6	Denmark 160 6
Exports	Value (Share, %)	World total 63,508 100	China 5,362 8	Thailand 3,920 6	Norway 3,669 6	U.S.A. 3,458 5	Canada 3,318 5	Japan (22th) 952 1
Volume (Share, %)	World total 2,801 100	Norway 214 8	China 208 7	Peru 172 6	Thailand 140 5	U.S.A. 131 5	Japan (24th) 36 1

Source: FAO [Fish stat (Fisheries Commodities production and trade 1976-2003)]

Japan’s fishery product exports in 2004 increased by 15% over the previous year in volume to 420,000 tons and increased by 10% in value to 148.2 billion yen. The export volume has doubled over the past five years (see Table II-1-7).

Table II-1-7 Transition in Export Volume and Value of Fishery Products by Major Items

1994	1999	2002	2003	2004	Increase rate (%) from 2003 to 2004
Percentage distribution (%)
Total export volume of fishery products	296	204	307	370	424	15
Total export value of fishery products	1,232	1,414	1,365	1,354	1,482	100	10
Pearl	415	557	332	243	275	19	13
Tuna/marlin	100	124	86	78	126	8	61
Alaska pollack	...	...	14	58	98	7	68
Salmon/trout	7	4	37	74	91	6	22
Prepared scallop ligament	100	101	95	77	65	4	-16
Scallop	48	66	91	121	62	4	-49
Dried sea cucumber	...	...	...	...	55	4	-
Fish paste products	57	42	40	39	41	3	5
Others	504	520	669	663	669	45	1

Source: “Trade Statistics,” Ministry of Finance.

Notes: 1. Volume indicates the weight in the product form upon customs clearance.

2. Tuna/marlin, salmon/trout, and scallop show the total values for live, fresh, refrigerated, and frozen products.

3. “...” indicates a lack of statistical data.
## (3) Processing and distribution of fishery products

The production volume of major items of processed fishery products stayed at the same level as the previous year on the whole.

In 2004, the volume of products landed at major Japanese fishing ports and listed in nearby local markets declined by 3% from the previous year. Their average price was 192 yen per kg, up 7%.

The trade volume of fishery products at major markets in consuming areas is on a decline. Their average price stayed at the same level as the previous year.

## (4) Ensuring safety and labeling of fishery products

The Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, the Food Safety Commission, the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare, etc. have cooperated in promoting risk communications on food throughout Japan.

Regarding the labeling of processed fishery products, indication of the place of origin for main ingredients had already been obligated for six items including salted common mackerel. Additionally, six groups of processed fishery products that are close to fresh foods, such as dried young sardine and lightly-roasted sliced bonito became subject to the labeling in September 2004, and the labeling for these groups will become obligatory from October 2006.

In July 2005, the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries formulated guidelines for the labeling of place of origin of ingredients used in the food service industry.

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

In 2004, the fishery products (on an original weight basis) supplied for domestic consumption decreased by 5% to 10.48 million tons from the previous year, of which about 80% was supplied for human consumption, down 2% to 8.01 million tons. Per capita annual fishery product consumption came to 62.7 kg on a gross food basis and to 34.5 kg on a net food basis.

The self-sufficiency rate of fishery products for human consumption in 2004 declined by 2 percentage points from the previous year to 55% (see Figure II-1-8).
Figure II-1-8 Transition in Self-Sufficiency Rate of Fishery Products for Human Consumption

Source: “Food Balance Sheets,” Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries.
Establishment of a fisheries course in an upper secondary school in the mountain area of Gunma Prefecture

The number of students taking fisheries courses at upper secondary schools has been decreasing nationwide. Gunma Prefectural Manba High School, located in the mountain area of Gunma Prefecture, established a fisheries course in FY2005, using the Kannagawa River with rich water, flowing near the school, in order to respond to the depopulation in the region, the declining birthrate, and diversification of students' interests.

With the establishment of the fisheries course, the total number of new entrants to the school, which had been between 40 and 50 persons in the past, increased to 73 persons. Students from different prefectures such as Chiba and Saitama or from different areas of the same prefecture account for 80% of all students, suggesting this course is drawing attention nationwide.

The school aims to become a center of freshwater aquaculture through providing unique education that uses the rich natural environment in the Kannagawa River basin.

Field study