APPENDIX IV APPENDIX IV 
The net effect of fish products on Japan's foreign trade 
has not been favorable in recent years. In 1971, Japan, for 
the first time, became a net importer of fish products when 
imports exceeded exports by about $50 million. 
GOVERNMENT ROLE IN FISHERIES 
The Japanese Government, through its Fisheries Agency, 
takes an active role in supporting its fishing industry. The 
recently developing financial problems of Japan's fisheries 
have caused the Government to institute a number of loan 
assistance programs, mainly to help its small- and medium- 
sized fisheries. Traditionally, the Japanese Government has 
supported the industry through the development of fishing 
ports, other coastal facilities, and fishery research, edu- 
cation, and propagation programs. 
Policy aims 
According to the Food and Agriculture Organization of 
the United Nations, Japan's fisheries policy is aimed at 
--insuring an adequate fish supply to meet national 
animal protein requirements, 
--providing fishermen with incomes comparable to other 
sectors of the economy, 
--protecting marine resources against overfishing, and 
--cooperating with international efforts to better con- 
serve and utilize fish catches. 
Fisheries Agency 
The Agency, under the Ministry of Agriculture and 
Forestry, has direct control over its fisheries. With a 
fiscal year 1976 operating budget of $472 million the Agency 
receives slightly more than 6 percent of the Ministry of 
Agriculture and Forestry's total general budget of $7.4 bil- 
lion. However, separate funds for insurance programs, loans, 
and investments provide the Agency with an additional $637 
Million for fiscal year 1976. 
The Agency's approved fiscal year 1976 operating budget 
funds for seven major program areas follow. 
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