In 1940 about 86 percent of those engaged in fishing and aqui- 
culture were men and 14 percent women. During the war period the pro¬ 
portion of women has increased due to military conscription and the 
attraction of more lucrative occupations in war industries. 
Distribution. Cable 6 gives the data available concerning the 
regional distribution of fishermen. Hokkaido, the leading fishing pre¬ 
fecture, has the largest number — more than 200,000 persons are supported 
directly by fishing and aquiculture in this prefecture. Nagasaki, Chiba, 
i 
Shizuoka, Mie, Iwate and Yamaguchi prefectures each had more than 50,000 
persons engaged in fishing in 1937. (Table 5). 
Wages and Organization. Information concerning the method of 
payment and the wage rates of fishermen is fragmentary. Many are paid 
a 
by a profit share system and many by a regular wage plus a share of the 
profits; some may receive only a direct wage payment. 
In some of the small units of the coastal fisheries a simple 
profit share system is used whereby the owner of the boat receives a 
larger share than the fishermen, but is responsible for the cost of 
boat and net repair. This same system is also used in larger operations 
for a recent report of a large boat manned by 70-80 men indicates profit 
sharing, 2l/ In this particular case, the profit after all deductions 
for ice, oil, bait, etc. were made, was divided at a ratio of 4 shares 
to the boat owner and 6 shares to the crew (the “shiburoku" or 4 to 6 
system), the boat owner being liable for all expenses for the repair of 
21/ Heport of a prisoner of war, formerly a fisherman in Shikoku. 
-44- 
16-031 P86 bu 
