Many Japanese fishing villages are in economic decline due to persistent low catch totals and rapid aging of their workforce, so in an attempt to revitalize these communities, the Japanese government is promoting marine-related tourism, which it refers to as “umigyo,” or maritime business, in several villages around the country.
Poor catch totals have plagued fishing operations targeting several important species in Japan and are mainly related to higher sea surface temperatures that have driven traditional stocks to other locations.
Meanwhile, the population in many of the country’s fishing villages has both aged and declined. While over 30 percent of the population of Japan as a whole is now over 65 years old, that total comprises around 40 percent of the residents in small fishing villages. The population of these villages stood at 2.5 million in 2005 but declined to just under 2 million by 2021.
By diversifying the economy of these towns through tourism, including via seaside holiday lodging, recreational fishing, cruises, and seafood restaurants, as well as through processing and aquaculture operations, the government hopes to revitalize them, boost local incomes, and attract more young people to live and work there.
The plan to promote tourism in the villages was originally part of the Japan Fisheries Agency’s “Basic Plan for Fisheries,” formulated in March 2022 and approved by the government in that year. Two laws – the Fishing Port Fisheries Ground Development Act and the Fisheries Industry Cooperative Act – were revised to include maritime industry businesses, including those targeted toward tourism, among those with legal access to fishing port facilities.
Previously, local fishery cooperatives solely controlled the fishing port marina and wharf areas. While the change forces them to share these facilities, it’s likely the new businesses will be established by, or work in close cooperation with, fishery cooperatives.
The fisheries agency has targeted 12 districts for pilot projects, whereby officials can establish models that they can then apply to over 500 fishing ports in the country over a five-year period. Agency staff will actively aid the work in the pilot districts by conducting on-site surveys, interviews, and economic analyses; running stakeholder workshops; and evaluating the effectiveness of new initiatives.
Suttsu in the Hokkaido Prefecture, with a population of just over 3,000, is one of the 12 pilot project areas. The town originally sprang up thanks to the area’s herring fishery, but because of a decrease of fishery resources, it also now focuses on oyster aquaculture.
The town plans to operate diving facilities, kelp-harvesting experiences, and fishing boat cruises; add accommodations in the fishing port area; promote tourism with a restaurant and souvenir shop; and strengthen direct sales at its local seafood market, all while training young people to work in marine industries.
