The steep rise in fuel prices caused by the recent depreciation of the yen is dealing a severe blow to Japan's fisheries industry.
The effect is felt particularly keenly felt by squid jigging vessels which use massive amount of fuel for fish gathering lamps.
The National Federation of Fisheries Cooperative Associations (JF-Zengyoren) decided on April 23 that small-type squid jiggers, who have been suffering from deteriorating business due to fast rise in fuel prices, would suspend operation for two days on April 26 and 27.
JF-Zengyoren's action is taken as a protest to the economic policy of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, which allegedly stimulated the yen to take a downtrend in an attempt to help the Japanese economy out of the long-lasted deflationary economy.
About 4,000 vessels from 18 prefectures are expected to join in no-fishing campaign on those days. Concern is also rising among fishermen other than squid jiggers that their business would be harshly affected if the present trend for cheaper yen continues.
According to the Hokkaido Federation of Fisheries Cooperative Associations the price of heavy oil at Kushiro Port in January-April stood at about Y90 per liter, which was a rise of as high as 50% over Y60, the average price in 2008.
A high-ranking official of the federation noted that competition toward lower fish prices is underway on the consumption stage, making it difficult for fishermen to push up sales prices of seafood even when fuel costs increase.
Squid fishermen are victims of the national economic policy so they will inevitably seek effective relief measures, he added.
He also observed that this move might spread among other long-distance fishing vessels, including saury fishing, salmon driftnetting and trawling, which would be adversely impacted by the swelling fuel price.
JF-Zengyoren said it is not considering going for an all-out fishing suspension at present, but they plan to stage a rally in Tokyo on May 29, mobilizing about 2500 fishermen from all over Japan.
In 2008, when there was a rapid fuel price hike, the government took Y74.5-billion emergency relief measures for fishermen, which virtually covered 90% of the fuel price increase.