Japan Press Weekly

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2008 June 18 - 24 [AGRICULTURE]

Fishermen call for state support

In Hokkaido, about 500 local fishermen and fisheries cooperatives’ leaders on June 19 packed into a hall to demand that the government fulfill its responsibility to protect the fishing industry which is experiencing difficulties arising from soaring oil prices.

Participants in the rally held such slogans “High fuel prices are preventing us from fishing!” and “Cut fuel prices!”

Sakuraba Takehiro, president of the Hokkaido Federation of Fisheries Cooperative Associations, in his speech to the rally said, “It’s time for all fishermen and fishery-related organizations to band together to overcome this crisis and establish a system for stable supplies of safety marine products so that we can continue our fishing.”

The increase in the price of fuel has dealt a heavy blow to the fishermen. The price now has become more than 100,000 yen per kiloliter, which is 2.5 times as much as the price in 2004, and is expected to further increase.

The president of a local squid-fishing vessel owners’ council said, “We have not gone fishing for two days. This is the first ever fishermen’s rebellion. We want the government to come up with measures to help solve the crisis.”

The president of a local saury-fishing association also said, “If nothing is done, we will have no choice but to close down our fishing business. What we want is direct state support and an accessible system, not just a quick-fixed measure.”

Japanese Communist Party House of Councilors Kami Tomoko later met with local fisheries cooperatives’ association presidents, and emphasized the need to establish rules to regulate excessive speculation as a main factor behind the rise in crude oil prices.

Kami said, “The government must immediately take support measures to covering fuel costs. The JCP will make every effort to achieve this end.”
- Akahata, June 20, 2008