A Study of Social and Economic Factors Affecting the Aging of Fishers in Japan

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The aging of the population of fishers in Japan stems from fishers' postponing their autonomous retirement, along with thte decreased entry of young and middle-aged fishers into the industry. In Japan, fishers over the age 65 years compose 34% of the total fisher population. The following are our findings from a data analysis of the Fishery Census and field studies focusing on coastal fishers using fishing boats. Postponing retirement has been the choice of fishers, often supported by the reduced degree of social security and limited local job opportunities. As such, aged fishers continue to fish, yet given their age, also opt to reduce thier fishing effort. This, in turn, lowers both aged fishers' productivity and income compared to that of younger fishers. Further details on this topic will appear in the book "Aging Fishers and the Fishing Villages of the Next Decade (Gyogyo-sha Koreika to Junen go no Gyoson)" to be published in 2014.