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The Fisheries Agency of the Ministry of Agriculture, forestry and Fisheries (MAFF) administers Japan's fisheries policy; a considerable amount of the responsibility devolves to prefectural governments and local Fisheries Cooperative Associations. The main laws regulating fisheries are the Basic Law on Fisheries Policy, the Fisheries Law, and the Law Regarding Conservation and Management of Marine Living Resources. The Basic Law on Fisheries Policy has two main objectives: to secure a stable supply of fishery products, and to ensure the sound development of the fishing industry by promoting the appropriate conservation and management of marine living resources. It establishes the direction for management measures in pursuance of these objectives. The Fisheries Law establishes national and prefectural licensing systems, and a rights-based management system, principally for coastal fisheries. The Law Regarding Conservation of Marine Living Resources contains provisions on total allowable catch (TAC) and total allowable effort (TAE), along with a plan for managing resources within the EEZ. Seven species; (saury, Alaska pollack, sardine, jack mackerel, common and spotted mackerel, common squid, and snow crab) are subject to the TAC. In addition, the fishing industry undertakes voluntary resource management efforts, including capacity and effort reductions (seasonal and size restrictions, etc.)

The Government also promotes conservation and restoration of the Japanese marine environment (breeding and nursery areas) and of fisheries resources (including through the large-scale release of juveniles/seedlings). Despite management and conservation efforts, 40% of Japan's fisheries resources (34 stocks) are at low levels, according to the 2010 stock assessment, and resource recovery plans have been developed for resources in urgent need of recovery (66 plans for 77 species). Japan is acting against illegal, unregulated, and unreported (IUU) fishing in its EEZ, with both the Fisheries Agency and the Coast Guard involved in the monitoring and enforcement measures.

Japan is a member of the five regional fisheries management organizations (RFMOs) regulating international tuna fishing (Indian Ocean Tuna Commission – IOTC; Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission – WCPFC; Inter-American Tropical Tuna Commission – IATTC; International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tuna – ICCAT; and Commission for the Conservation of Southern Bluefin Tuna – CCSBT).

In its 2011 subsidy notification to the WTO, Japan notified the Fisheries Modernization Fund Interest Subsidy (¥4.5 million in FY2009) for advanced equipment and modernization of management of fisheries and related sectors; and the Fund for the Measures to Supply Fishery Products Stably (¥3.0 billion in FY2009) for comprehensive programmes implemented by non-governmental organizations, for the promotion of sustainable management of fishery resources, promotion of stock enhancement and aquaculture, restructuring of fishing entities, conservation of coastal environments, recruitment of fishers, for promotion of distribution, processing, and consumption of fishery products, aimed at the stable, safe, and efficient supply of food

The Electricity Business Act and the Gas Business Law were amended in 2012 with a view to relaxing regulation on tariffs in order to, inter alia, incorporate a feed-in-tariff system for certain renewable energy. Against the background of the severe accidents at nuclear power plants in north‑eastern Japan in March 2011, the Government is reviewing whether to adopt any regulatory reform in the energy and utilities sector.

In 2012, the Electricity Business Act and the Gas Business Law were amended with a view to relaxing regulation on tariffs in order to, inter alia, incorporate a feed-in-tariff (FIT) system for certain renewable energy both amendments replaced the approval requirement with a notification requirement on certain tariffs.

"Green" public procurement rules.
The Law Concerning the Promotion of Contracts Considering Reduction of Emissions of Greenhouse Gases and Others by the State and Others Entities, obliges the national government and other entities to promote environmentally friendly contracts and to publish and to notify the results of such contracts to the Minister of the Environment. Five contract types are subject to this law, 2 of which relate to construction services.

Law Concerning the Measures by Large Scale Retail Stores for Preservation of Living Environment (1998 Law No. 91)

Legislation on the establishment of large-scale stores: 2000 Act on the Measures by Large-Scale Retail Stores for Preservation of the Living Environment”. No economic needs test (article 13) designed in order to protect the living environment surrounding large-scale stores by defining the procedures to establish and operate them. In addition, since 2007 local governments judge a location of large-scale commercial facilities from a city planning standpoint.

With a view to enhancing the mutual supportiveness between trade and the environment, Japan has participated actively in the DDA negotiations