Silviase/jgov_v1.4_full_ann huggingface dataset:
### 2. International trends surrounding Japan’s fisheries

## (1) Bilateral fishery relations

Japan conducts its fishing operations in the waters of South Korea and China, and vice versa, under the bilateral agreement between Japan and South Korea and that between Japan and China, respectively. However, because no relevant fishing grounds were formed in China’s waters during 2005, Japanese fishing vessels did not operate in China’s waters.

Japan and Russia conduct their fishing operations in each other’s waters based on three agreements: the Japan-Soviet Union Adjacent and Offshore Fishery Agreement, the Japan-Soviet Union Fishery Cooperation Agreement, and the Framework Agreement Concerning the Operations of Japanese Fishing Vessels in the Waters around the Four Northern Islands.

Japanese fishing vessels also operate in the 200-mile zones of Pacific island countries and African countries under bilateral government-to-government or private-level agreements.

## (2) Crackdown on illegal foreign fishing vessels

Japan monitors and cracks down on foreign fishing vessels' illegal activities in its exclusive economic zones and territorial waters. In 2005, Japan seized 16 foreign fishing vessels, conducted boarding inspections on 148 vessels and confiscated fishing gear from 44 vessels. Recently, foreign fishing vessels' malicious actions have stood out. Some foreign fishing vessels have rejected boarding inspections and fled from Japanese patrol vessels. Japan has thus been trying to enhance its monitoring and crackdown activities.

## (3) Multilateral fishery relations

### A. Trends regarding bonito and tuna fisheries

In order to combat illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing, regional fisheries management organizations have resolved to introduce lists of authorized vessels and only to allow international trade in tunas caught by the listed authorized vessels, starting in 2003 (the Positive List scheme). Japan, the largest tuna importer, also implements this scheme.

In addition, at the 2005 annual meeting of regional fisheries management organizations, some progress was made in issues including Taiwan’s alleged overfishing of tuna.

Also, with regard to the western and central Pacific Ocean, which had been the
only areas where highly migratory fish stocks had not been managed, the Convention on the Conservation and Management of Highly Migratory Fish Stocks in the Western and Central Pacific Ocean (WCPFC) entered into force in June 2004. Japan joined the WCPFC in July 2005.

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

The Committee on Fisheries (COFI) of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) agreed on the following matters at its 26th session in March 2005:

(i) With FAO technical cooperation, holding a joint meeting of the tuna regional fisheries management organizations in Japan in 2007 in order to respond to various problems of tuna fisheries;

(ii) Guidelines on ecolabeling of fishery products for showing that the products have been caught by a method that gives consideration to sustainability of the ecosystem and resources; and

(iii) Guidelines to Reduce Sea Turtle Mortality in Fishing Operations aimed at recommending the appropriate treatment of sea turtles by-catch, and promoting use of fishing gear that prevents such by-catch.

### C. International Whaling Commission (IWC)

At the annual meeting of the International Whaling Commission (IWC) held in June 2005, heated debate again took place between countries supporting the sustainable use of whales and antiwhaling countries. However, the gap between them is narrowing. Apart from some antiwhaling countries taking a hard-line attitude, momentum is gradually rising toward achieving a negotiated settlement. Japan will continue its effort to resume whaling in cooperation with many other countries supporting the sustainable use of whales.

## (4) Current situation of international fisheries cooperation

Japan provides grant aid for fisheries and varied technical cooperation to other countries, mainly through the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA). The Overseas Fishery Cooperation Foundation also implements a wide range of cooperation projects including technology transfer. Japan provides support to the Southeast Asian Fisheries Development Center (SEAFDEC).
### 3. Fishery business management

## (1) Trends of fishery operators

In 2004, the number of operators of sea-water fisheries and aquaculture declined by 2% from the previous year to 130,000. Of these, 95% are coastal fishery operators mainly run by family labor.

## (2) State of fishery business management

In 2004, the fishery income per coastal fishery household (coastal fisheries using fishing vessels, marine aquaculture, and small stationary net fisheries) increased by 4% over the previous year to 2.82 million yen. The fishery household income including income from non-fishery sources was 6.08 million yen, which was the same level as the previous year.

By type of operation, the fishery income of coastal fishery operators using fishing vessels was at the same level as the previous year at 2.15 million yen. The fishery income of marine aquaculture operators declined for those farming yellowtail, sea bream and oyster, but increased for those farming scallop, wakame seaweed, and laver, and increased by 10% over the previous year to 6.26 million yen for marine aquaculture operators overall.

Small and medium-sized fishery operators’ earnings from fishing have been in the red since the previous fiscal year. They offset this deficit with earnings from fisheries business other than fishing, mainly fishery processing business, and earnings from business other than fisheries. As a result, their ordinary profit (overall balance) marked 860,000 yen in surplus.

The expenditures for fishing in FY2004 declined by 30% from the 1989 level due to reduction in labor cost and restraint of capital investment in fishing vessels and fishing gears. However, oil cost alone has increased according to the influence of the fuel oil price hike. The percentage of oil cost in the total expenditures has increased from 9.8% in 1989 to 14.3% in 2004. This is a serious situation for fishery business management in which fuel cost accounts for a large proportion of expenditures (see Topics 2 at p.4).

## (3) State of fishery workers

In 2004, the number of fishery workers declined by 3% from the previous year to 231,000. The aging of the workers has further progressed (see Figure II-3-6). Therefore, fisheries
cooperatives and fishing households throughout Japan are making efforts to accept new fishery workers.

Figure II-3-6 Transition in the Number of Fishery Workers 10,000 persons

Sources: “Annual Statistics on Movement of Fishery Enterprises” (up to 2001), “Annual Statistics on Persons Engaged in Fisheries” (2002), “Fishery Census” (2003), and “Survey Report on Persons Engaged in Fishery” (2004), Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries.

Note: Figures in brackets are the percentage distribution (\%) when male total is 100\%.

In 2004, the number of Japanese workers employed for offshore and distant water fishing declined by 29% from five years ago to 25,000. Their wage level has been falling, while the wage level in the manufacturing industry turned to an increase in FY2002, and the wage gap is widening.

The number of fishing vessels involved in marine accidents has increased every year. The most notable accidents are colliding and capsizing, many of which are caused by humans, such as insufficient lookout and negligence concerning meteorological and oceanographic phenomena.

## (4) Fisheries cooperatives

At the end of FY2004, Japan had 2,515 fisheries cooperatives, including 1,476 for coastal districts, 878 for inland water districts, and 161 sector-specific cooperatives.

Reflecting the recent deterioration in the environment surrounding the fisheries industry, the operations of fisheries cooperatives have leveled off or shrunk in scale. Three-quarters of fisheries cooperatives posted a deficit in business profits.
Efforts are being made to merge fisheries cooperatives in order to enhance their organization and business infrastructure. Such mergers have been accelerated in recent years with the time limit for the Fisheries Cooperative Merger Promotion Law scheduled at the end of FY2007. In FY2004, 52 fisheries cooperatives took part in mergers, but still, considerable efforts are required to achieve the target of about 250 fisheries cooperatives nationwide.
### 4. Revitalization of fishing villages

## (1) Current status of fishing villages

Japan had 6,291 fishing villages as of 2003. Many of them are located in disadvantaged areas such as isolated islands or remote rural areas. These fishing villages have fisheries as their mainstay industry and play a key role in the stable supply of fishery products. They have also formed local communities at locations that have few other industries, contributing to Japan’s balanced development.

In Japan, a decline in the vitality of fishing villages has become a matter of concern, with a fall in the number of fishery workers and their aging. The aging tends to be more conspicuous and the percentage of female fishery workers tends to be lower for fishing districts $ ^{6} $ with fewer fishery workers (see Figure II-4-1).

Figure II-4-1 Percentage Distribution of Fishery Workers by Gender and by Age for Males

Source: Created based on “2003 (Eleventh) Fishery Census,” Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries.

Additionally, in fishing districts with fewer fishery workers, the proportion of self-employed fishery workers who are dedicated to or mainly engage in fishery tends to be less, and the value of fish catch per fishery worker tends to be lower.
(2) Multiple functions of fisheries and fishing villages and efforts for revitalization of fishing villages

### A. Multiple functions of the fisheries and fishing villages

Fisheries and fishing villages have multiple functions other than their primary function to supply fishery products. These functions include conservation of the natural environment, protection of people’s lives and properties, providing places for people to live and exchange, and preservation and formation of local communities. In August 2004, the Science Council of Japan reported on the details and evaluation of such multiple functions from a wide academic viewpoint at the request of the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries.

Figure II-4-4 Various Roles of Fisheries and Fishing Villages

Fishery workers and volunteers engage in activities to conserve underwater plant beds and tidelands throughout Japan. In addition, in most fishing districts, regardless of their number of fishery workers, people collect dumped trash and clean the seashore. In fishing districts with a larger number of fishery workers, residents are particularly active in planting trees to conserve the environment of coastal waters (see Figure II-4-5).
Figure II-4-5 Percentage of Fishing Districts Engaged in Seashore Cleaning and Tree Planting

Source: Created based on “2003 (Eleventh) Fishery Census,” Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries.

### B. Efforts to revitalize fishing villages

Campaigns for promoting “coexistence and exchanges between cities and rural communities” are implemented, and pioneering projects to develop autonomous, business-oriented rural communities have been selected as “rising rural communities.”

Women are playing an important role in revitalizing the community through wide-ranging activities including processing and selling products using unused resources of the community, selling products at the morning market, running restaurants, and spreading fish-eating habits by holding cooking classes.

Groups led by highly motivated young fishery workers (cooperative groups of core fishery workers) are making effort to revitalize the local communities.

## (3) Improving the living conditions of fishing villages

In fishing villages that have lagged behind in developing modern living facilities, the national government, local governments, and related organizations collaborate in conducting the Fishing Village Life Environment Improvement Movement (Fishing Village Refresh Movement) for promoting the establishment of sewage treatment facilities and other facilities. In response to the aging of population in fishing villages, elderly-friendly facilities are being developed. They include establishment of floating mooring piers for eliminating the height differences that occur between vessels and the pier with changes in tide, establishment of facilities for protection against wind or heat, and eliminating level differences in piers and sidewalks (creating a barrier-free environment).
○ Fisheries Measures for FY2006

### I. Measures for Securing Stable Supply of Fishery Products

### 1. Securing stable supply of fishery products for people’s diet

In order to supply safe and reliable fishery products in a stable manner, the Government will promote the introduction of a Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP) system and sophistication of hygiene maintenance and quality control from production through distribution. It will also ensure easy-to-understand, appropriate labeling from a consumer viewpoint. Additionally, the Government will promote "Shokuiku (Food Education)" including diffusion and use of the Japanese Food Guide Spinning Top based on the Basic Law on Food Education.

### 2. Appropriately preserving and managing fishery resources in the exclusive economic zone (EEZ)

While adequately implementing the total allowable catch (TAC) system and the total allowable effort (TAE) system, the Government will properly manage licensed fisheries as well as fisheries under fishery right. It will also instruct and regulate Japanese and overseas fishing vessels. Furthermore, the Government will promote creation of the Resource Recovery Plans, and provide necessary support for their smooth implementation.

### 3. Appropriately preserving and managing fishery resources outside the EEZ

As a responsible fisheries nation, the Government will cooperate in resource management efforts of regional fisheries management organizations with focus on measures to combat illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) tuna fishing vessels, and ensure that Japanese fishing vessels observe international regulations.

### 4. Conducting surveys and research on fishery resources

From the viewpoint of making sustainable use of fishery resources in Japan’s surrounding waters, the Government will conduct various surveys and research including resource assessment, and promote surveys and research on sustainable fishery
management that gives consideration to the state of resources and the marine ecosystem in cooperation with regional fisheries management organizations.

Additionally, the Government will provide the survey and research results as well as information on fishing and oceanographic conditions not only to fishing workers, but also to the general public and regional fisheries management organizations.

### 5. Promoting multiplication and aquaculture of aquatic animals and plants

The Government will maintain and increase resources through promoting production and release of seedlings, and achieve sustainable development of aquaculture. In addition, it will improve fish farms and take epidemic control measures for fishery resources, as well as promote branding of farmed fishery products by taking advantage of the local characteristics. Moreover, the Government will advance structural reform of laver aquaculture and increase its competitiveness in response to the progress of globalization.

In order to develop inland water fisheries and aquaculture, the Government will promote improvements of fish farms and propagation/farming of fishery resources, as well as take measures to prevent the spread of fish diseases.

### 6. Preserving and improving the living environment of aquatic animals and plants

The sea, rivers, and lakes are the living environment of aquatic animals and plants. Therefore, the Government will improve the living environment of aquatic animals and plants by implementing water quality control measures, creating underwater plant beds and tidelands, improving the environment of fishing grounds, and planting trees to conserve the environment of coastal waters. In addition, it will promote measures against invasive alien species including black bass, measures against fishery damages caused by wildlife including river cormorants and sea lions, and measures to revive the Sea of Ariake.

### 7. Maintaining and developing fishing grounds outside the EEZ

The Government will make effort to secure the catch quota for Japan through bilateral and multilateral talks on fisheries and through overseas fishery cooperation.

### 8. Taking measures on fishery product imports and exports

The Government will appropriately implement measures on imports including the import quota system for fishery products, and promote smooth exports of fishery products.
### 9. Promoting international cooperation

In order to develop the fisheries industry in developing economies and promote management and sustainable use of international resources, the Government will extend financial and technical cooperation to developing economies and contribute trust funds to international organizations.

### I I. Measures for Sound Development of Fisheries Industry

### 1. Fostering efficient and stable fishery business management

Since there are concerns that the global crude oil price hike would have serious impact on fishery business management, the Government will support the efforts of fishery workers and their groups to promote fishery business management that is sustainable, even with the current crude oil price level and structural reform of fisheries.

Additionally, the Government will take measures to strengthen the management basis of fishery operators that engage in improvement of management with strong motivation, and promote the management improvement efforts of cooperative groups of core fishery operators and establishment of facilities for shared use.

### 2. Promoting more efficient use of fishing grounds

While appropriately implementing the fishing license system and the fishery right system, the Government will support voluntary efforts of fishing operators to reduce the number of vessels. It will also secure harmony between fisheries and marine recreation in use of the sea.

### 3. Developing and securing human resources

While improving the techniques and business management ability of fishery operators, the Government will promote recruitment of young workers in order to reform the fishery employment structure and to pass down the fishing techniques.

The Government will also promote safety in the fishing work by increasing safety awareness and developing the framework for maritime accident prevention and salvage, and improvement of the working environment. Furthermore, it will further enhance fishery education.
### 4. Compensation for damages caused by fishery disasters

The Government will appropriately implement the fishery mutual aid system and fishing vessel insurance system while making necessary reviews of the systems to meet the needs of fishery operators. In addition, the Government will promote measures to balance supply and demand and stabilize the prices of fishery products through the storage of fishery products for the purpose of market adjustment and other measures. It will also support relief of fishery operators who received damages from oil pollution caused by an unknown party, measures against large jellyfish, and recovery of the Nishiki carp production area affected by the Niigata Chuetsu Earthquake.

### 5. Achieving sound development of fishery processing industry and fishery distribution industry

The Government will encourage strengthening of hygiene/quality control systems through introduction of a HACCP system, streamlining of the market and distribution, and development of food retailers. In addition, it will reduce the environmental load by promoting recycling of by-products including residue from fishery processing and the outside shells of shellfish.

### 6. Developing the infrastructure of fisheries industry

Under the system to plan integrated and comprehensive development of fishing ports and fishing grounds, the Government will promote infrastructure development of the fisheries industry including the development of fishing ports, creation of underwater plant beds and tidelands, and conservation of coastal fishing grounds.

### 7. Developing and diffusing technology

The Government will strengthen collaborations between industry, academia, and government to promote development and commercialization of technology that contribute to the sound development of the fisheries industry. Additionally, it will promote projects to diffuse technology according to the local characteristics and the needs of fishery operators and working sites.

### 8. Promoting participation of women

The Government will support training programs and activities for improving the diverse abilities of women, and promote the development of an environment that facilitates women participating in fishery-related activities.
### 9. Promoting activities of the elderly

The Government will encourage fishery-related activities that take advantage of the techniques and abilities of the elderly, and promote the development of an environment that allows the elderly to engage in activities with a sense of purpose in life.

### 10. Achieving comprehensive development of fishing villages

The Government will take measures to strengthen the economic basis of fishing villages according to the local characteristics, and promote improvement of living conditions including establishment of a community sewage facility. It will also strive to protect people who require assistance at times of disaster by promoting disaster prevention measures.

### 11. Making exchanges between cities and fishing villages

In order to promote coexistence and exchanges between cities and fishing villages, the Government will promote and establish exchange activities, and advance efforts to develop attractive communities that appeal to urban residents. Additionally, the Government will ensure the safety of users of recreational fishing vessels and achieve orderly use of fishing ports by marine recreation and fishing vessels.

### 12. Increasing measures for optimizing the multiple functions

The Government will conduct diffusion and awareness-raising activities on the multiple functions of fisheries and fishing villages targeting the general public, and consider measures to support such functions. At the same time, it will promote measures to appropriately and sufficiently make use of such multiple functions.

### I II. Measures for Reorganization of Fishery-Related Groups

In order to strengthen the business and organizational basis of fisheries cooperatives, the Government will formulate a plan for achieving sound finance and management, and promote a guarantee by the Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Credit Foundations for fisheries cooperatives implementing the plan. It will also support the efforts to promote mergers between fisheries mutual aid groups.

In addition, the Government will promote surveys and guidance for developing human resources of the federations of fisheries cooperatives and for strengthening the
management basis of fisheries cooperatives, as well as consider concrete measures for strengthening collaborations between the groups.

For any questions and inquiries about this report, please call the following number:

Trend Analysis Section, Policy Planning Division, Fisheries Policy Planning Department, Fisheries Agency

Phone: 03-3502-8111 (ext.7067.7068)

Fax: 03-3501-5097