Fisheries production (including marine fisheries, inland-water fisheries and aquaculture) has decreased in quantity since 1989. Production amounted to 5 775 794 tons in 2004, which decreased to 5 720 603 tons in 2005 (a fall of 1%). The value of fisheries production in 2003 was JPY 1 546 billion (around USD 13.33 billion). It increased slightly to JPY 1 565 billion (around USD 14.27 billion) in 2004.

The number of fishers has been continuously decreasing and is now 26% lower than in 1994 (312 890). More precisely, the number of fishermen in 2004 was 230 730, 3% lower than 2003. Japanese male fishers over 65 years old accounted for 34% of the total male fisher population in 2002, 13% higher than ten years ago. The ageing of the working population over the past decade is remarkable.