世論 What Japan Thinks

goo Research recently published the results of some research conducted in cooperation with Yomiuri Shimbun into fish and shellfish, conducted amongst their online monitor group between the 16th and 18th of the February.

Demographics

1,091 successfully completed the questionnaire. 50.3% were male, 21.8% in their twenties, 18.4% in their thirties, 21.6% in their forties, 17.5% in their fifties, and 20.6% aged sixty or older.

Note that in Q7 just 1% eat fish or shellfish less than once a month, which suggests that vegetarianism still has a long, long way to go in Japan! In addition, I wouldn’t be surprised if a significant part of that 1% included people who eat meat instead.

You may be interested in cross-referencing this with another recent survey on tuna habits and quota cut awareness.

Survey results

Q1: Do you like fish and shellfish? (Sample size=1,091)

Yes	84%
It’s OK	4%
No	12%

Q2: Which of the following fish or shellfish do you like? (Sample size=1,091, multiple answer)

Tuna	49%
Aji (horse mackerel)	45%
Lobster	43%
Salmon	40%
Eel	36%
Sanma (Pacific saury)	35%
Squid	32%
Buri (yellowtail)	30%
Saba (mackerel)	28%
Katsuo (bonito)	21%
Tai (Pacific sea bream)	20%
Hirame (flatfish)	17%
Karei (turbot)	14%
Iwashi (sardine)	14%
Octopus	13%
Fugu (puffer fish)	12%
Ayu (freshwater trout)	12%
Shishamo	9%
Sawara (Spanish mackerel)	7%
Tara (cod)	6%
Other	4%

Q3: Do you know about the cuts in tuna quotas? (Sample size=1,091)

Yes	93%
No	7%

Q4: Do you think the tuna quota cuts will have an effect on your eating habits? (Sample size=1,091)

Yes	12%
Just a little	45%
Can’t say either way	18%
Not really	18%
Not at all	8%

Q5: What are you most concerned about regarding the tuna quota cuts? (Sample size=1,091)

Price rises	60%
Less chance to eat it	12%
The effects on other fish stocks	8%
The fishing industry being hurt by the cuts	7%
Problems at sushi restaurants and other shops	5%
No particular worries	8%

Q6: The price of tuna has been increasing recently. What effect will this have on the frequency or amount of tuna or tuna products that you buy? (Sample size=1,091)

Decrease amount or frequency	16%
Slightly decrease	43%
Not change	41%
Slightly increase	0%
Increase	0%

Q7: How frequently do you eat fish or shellfish products? (Sample size=1,091)

Almost every day	10%
Five or six days a week	10%
Three or four days a week	41%
One or two days a week	31%
One day a fortnight	6%
One day every three weeks	1%
Almost never	1%
Not at all	0%

Q8: Recently, how has your frequency or amount of fish or shellfish eaten changed? (Sample size=1,091)

Considerably increased	6%
Little increased	30%
Not changed	52%
Little decreased	9%
Considerably decreased	3%

Q9: What are the main reasons that you eat fish or shellfish? (Sample size=1,091, up to three answers)

Tasty	82%
Rich in protein	61%
Low calorie	29%
Can obtain locally	27%
Easy to prepare	14%
Cheap	12%
Don’t like meat	1%
Other	4%

Q10: Which are the main components (vitamins, etc) contained within fish and shellfish that you are interested in? (Sample size=1,091, up to three answers)

DHA	67%
EPA	50%
Calcium	39%
Alginic acid	28%
Taurin	20%
Fucoidan	5%
None in particular	17%

Note that fucoidan seems to be found almost exclusively in seaweed rather than fish or shellfish.

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