Article 11(1)The Government must establish a basic plan for fisheries (hereinafter referred to as "basic plan") for a comprehensive and systematic promotion of the policies on fisheries.

(2)The basic plan is to set forth the following matters:

(3)The target for self-sufficiency in marine products listed in item (ii) of the preceding paragraph is to be established, aiming at improving it, as a guideline for the domestic fishery production and consumption of marine products to identify the issues that fishery managers and other relevant person should address.

(4)The target for self-sufficiency in marine products listed in the second item of paragraph (2) of this Article must be in harmony with the target for food self-sufficiency listed in the second item of paragraph (2) of Article 15 of the Basic Act on Food, Agriculture and Rural Areas (Act No. 106 of 1999).

(5)The part of the basic plan that relates to measures concerning fishing communities must be harmonized with the national plan for the comprehensive use, development, and conservation of the national land.

(6)When the Government intends to establish a basic plan under paragraph (1), it must obtain the opinion of the Fisheries Policy Council.

(7)When the Government establishes the basic plan pursuant to paragraph (1), it must report it to the Diet and make it public without delay.

(8)The Government is to amend the basic plan approximately every five years, taking into account changes in the circumstances surrounding fisheries and based on an assessment of the effectiveness of the measures taken in relation to fisheries.

(9)Provisions of paragraph (6) and paragraph (7) apply mutatis mutandis to the changes of the basic plan.

Article 12Measures to ensure a stable supply of marine products as food are to be as set out in the Basic Law on Food, Agriculture and Rural Areas and in this Section.

Article 13(1)The State is to take measures such as the management of catches and fishing efforts and other measures necessary for the appropriate conservation and management of marine resources in Exclusive Economic Zones, etc. (the term "Exclusive Economic Zone" as used in this Act means the Japanese exclusive economic zones, territorial seas, inland water, and continental shelf as provided in Article 2 of Act Concerning Exclusive Economic Zones and the Continental Shelf (Act No. 74 of 1996). The same applies hereinafter.), aiming at the maintenance or recovery of marine resources to the level that enables maximum sustainable yield.

(2)If the State considers it necessary in cases where the measures provided for in the preceding paragraph have a significant impact on the management of fisheries, it is to take necessary measures to alleviate this impact.

Article 14In view of the fact that Japan occupies an important position in the world's fishery yield and consumption of marine products, the State is to take necessary measures such as cooperating with international organizations and other international frameworks concerning the sustainable use of marine resources, guidance and supervision of Japan's fisheries, in order to promote appropriate conservation and management of marine resources in waters other than Exclusive Economic Zones, etc.

Article 15The State is to conduct surveys and research on marine resources and take other necessary measures to contribute to the appropriate conservation and management of marine resources.

Article 16The State is to take measures such as promotion of production and release of seedlings of aquatic animals, improvement of aquafarms and others measures necessary to promote the propagation and aquaculture of aquatic animals and plants in harmony with environment.

Article 17The State is to take measures such as conserving the quality of water, protecting and improving breeding grounds for aquatic animals and plants, conserving and developing forests and taking other necessary measures to conserve and improve the growing environments for aquatic animals and plants.

Article 18The State is to take necessary measures such as consultations with foreign countries on the operation of fisheries, exploration of marine resources and other measures to maintain and develop fishing grounds in relation to Japanese fisheries in waters other than those in Exclusive Economic Zones, etc.

Article 19(1)The State is to take necessary measures to secure imports of marine products for which demand cannot be met by production by the fishing industry in Japan, and take measures such as import restrictions, tariff rate adjustments, and other necessary measures when particularly necessary in cases where imports of marine products cause or are likely to cause serious hindrance to the appropriate conservation and management of marine resources or production of marine products in competition with such products.

(2)In order to promote the export of marine products, the State is to take measures such as strengthening the competitiveness of the domestic marine products, improving market research, providing information, encouraging dissemination, and publicity activities and other necessary measures to promote exports.

Article 20The State is to endeavor to promote international cooperating such as technical and financial cooperation for the promotion of fisheries in the developing regions to contribute to the long-term stability of the world's supply and demand of marine products.

Article 21The State is to, in view of the importance of enabling motivated fishery managers to develop creative fishery management and in accordance with the type of fishery and regional characteristics, take necessary measures to promote the development of conditions that contribute to rationalization of business management, promote the improvement of fishing boats and other facilities, promote the joint operation of business, and otherwise strengthen the fishery management infrastructure.

Article 22The State is to take measures such as promotion of rationalization of utilization of fishing grounds and others necessary for the development of efficient and sustainable fishery management.

Article 23(1)The State is to take necessary measures such as improving the technical and management skills of fisheries and promoting the acquisition of technical and management skills for those who newly enter fisheries in order to develop and maintain human resources who will be responsible for efficient and stable fishery management.

(2)The State is to take necessary measures to ensure the safety of fishing, improve working conditions, and otherwise improve the working environment for those engaged in fishing.

(3)The State is to promote education on fisheries and take other necessary measures to increase the public's understanding and interest in fisheries.

Article 24(1)The State is to take necessary measures, such as reasonable compensation for losses caused by disasters, to prevent impediment to re-starting fishery production due to disasters and to ensure the stability of the management of fisheries.

(2)The State is to take necessary measures to mitigate significant fluctuations in the price of marine products in order to contribute to the stability of the management of fisheries.

Article 25In order to promote the healthy development of the fishery processing and distribution industry, the State is to take necessary measures such as strengthening the business infrastructure, promoting linkages with the fishing industry, rationalizing the distribution of marine products and other necessary measures, while giving consideration to reducing the environmental impact of business activities and ensuring the effective use of resources.

Article 26In order to promote the improvement of productivity in the fishing industry and to contribute to the promotion of the propagation and cultivation of aquatic animals and plants, the State is to take measures necessary for the improvement of fishing ports, the improvement and development of fishing grounds and other fisheries infrastructure in accordance with regional characteristics and in harmony with the environment, with the aim of efficient implementation of projects.

Article 27In order to effectively promote research, development, and dissemination of technologies related to fisheries, the State is to take necessary measures such as clarifying the goals of research and development of these technologies, strengthening cooperation among the State, independent administrative agencies, prefectural and local independent administrative agencies' testing and research institutions, universities, and private sectors, and promoting dissemination projects of technologies related to fisheries according to regional characteristics.

Article 28In view of the importance of ensuring that men and women have opportunities to participate in all activities as equal members of society, the State is to properly assess the role of women in the fishing industry and promote the development of an environment that ensures women have opportunities to participate in the fishing industry and related activities on their own initiative.

Article 29The State is to promote the development of an environment in which the elderly can engage in activities related to the fishing industry with a sense of fulfilment in accordance with the division of labour in the fishing industry and the skills and abilities they possess, and is to improve the welfare of the elderly engaged in the fishing industry.

Article 30(1)The State is to systematically promote measures related to the promotion of the fishing industry and other comprehensive development of fishing communities.

(2)The State is to take necessary measures to comprehensively promote the development of the fishing industry infrastructure in accordance with regional characteristics and the improvement of the living environment, including disaster prevention, transport, information and communication, sanitation, education, culture and other welfare, in order to promote the healthy development of local fishing industries and to develop fishing communities with an excellent landscape and a rich and pleasant living environment.

Article 31The State is to take measures to promote exchanges between cities and fishing communities, optimize the recreational fishing boat industry and take other necessary measures to deepen the public's interest in and understanding of the fishing industry and fishing communities, and to contribute to a healthy and comfortable lifestyle.

Article 32The State is to take necessary measures to deepen public understanding and interest in the role of the fishing industry and fishing communities in the stabilizing people's lives and the national economy, and to ensure that the multifaceted functions of the fishing industry and fishing communities, other than the function of supplying marine products, are properly and sufficiently fulfilled in the future.