Japan Press Weekly

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2013 May 29 - June 4 [ECONOMY]

Fishermen call for measures to counter high oil prices

Over 2,000 fishermen on May 29 held a rally in Tokyo calling on the government to implement measures to deal with the increase in fuel prices caused by Prime Minister Abe’s monetary easing policy and the resultant weaker yen.

The price of diesel fuel for fishing vessels is over 90 yen per liter, up from around 80 yen in October last year as a result of the depreciation of the yen.

In the rally held at the Hibiya Amphitheater, Hattori Ikuhiro, chair of the National Federation of Fisheries Cooperatives (JF Zengyoren), said that no fisherman should be forced out of business due to the inflated prices in fuel and materials. He added, “Let’s work hard to have the government implement measures to maintain Japan’s fishing industry.”

Mikuni Masaru, chair of the Aomori prefectural council of squid fishery, stated that all squid fishing boats around the country stopped their operations for two days last month in order to attract national attention to their plight. “My hope is that ordinary fishermen will be able to work and live decently.”

Chair Yoshioka Shuichi of the National Federation of Medium Trawlers said, “The rise in fuel prices this time is far more than we can handle. I demand that the state take strong measures to tackle the problem.”

After the rally, participants marched in demonstration to the Diet building.

Related past article
> 200,000 boats stop fishing to call for steps to cover losses due to high oil prices [July 16, 2008]