APPENDIX IV APPENDIX IV 
fisheries. Depending on the level and type of cooperative, 
the associations provide the following kinds of services 
to fisheries: 
--Procure and supply fuel oil, fishing gear and 
other provisions domestically, abroad and at sea. 
--Provide for transshipment, storage, processing 
and marketing of members' catch. 
--Insure fisheries against accidents and other 
losses. 
--Provide education and guidance in fishing business 
management, and other relevant matters. 
--Extend credit, arrange financing, and channel gov- 
ernment loan funds to fishing companies. 
--Lobby for the fisheries in domestic matters, and 
participate in international negotiations on their 
Dietisiter 
The cooperative associations operate through funds 
received from membership dues and commissions on services 
provided. In addition to being indispensible organizations 
for fishermen, they play an important role in implementing 
Government development policies. 
Employment in the fishing industry has steadily declined 
Eom 70/0),000) am 955 co less) teham S00) 0010, any oi em 
spite of this decrease, the remaining fishery workers are 
relatively young. Men between 15 and 39 years old make up 
31 percent of the labor force, men 60 years old and over, 
14 percent, and women 17 percent of the labor force. Japan 
Fisheries Agency officials attribute the decline in fishery 
workers to increased productivity levels, migration of 
younger workers to industrial sector jobs, and to the general 
economic difficulties of the fishing industry. 
Japan's coastal fisheries, generally small and family- 
operated enterprises, are not represented by labor unions. 
Employees of offshore and distant water fisheries, however, 
belong to branches of the powerful National Seamen's Union, 
or to large company unions having strong associations with 
the national union. Employees involved in fish processing 
belong to a national union for food processors. Industry 
officials told us that fishing companies must negotiate 
several times annually with unions, separately determining 
wages and employees' bonuses. Unions have also gained other 
advances for employees. In the cases of distant water 
33 
