JAPAN's fuel package : Fisherment to receive 75.5 billion yen (69 million USD) in aid

The Japanese government has launched an aid package to help fishermen cope with the fuel crisis.

The measures include : buying fishery products worth 40 billion yen; extending 20 billion yen in interest-free loans for energy-conservation measures; paying subsidies of 8 billion yen for approved projects to reduce fuel consumption; and doling out 6.5 billion yen in aid for fishermen who suspend fishing work and fleet owners who reduce the number of their boats.

Here are a few press items on the package:

http://www.asahi.com/english/Herald-asahi/TKY200807300063.html

http://afp.google.com/article/ALeqM5iA2-bVdpsfb7h9PNT9pvS9PnWCvg