Domestic per-capita consumption of fish has dropped by roughly 30 percent since a peak in 2001, declining to levels last seen in the early 1960s, according to a report on fisheries adopted by the Cabinet Tuesday.

The fiscal 2015 white paper said individuals ate 27.3 kilograms of fish and fish products in fiscal 2014, comparable to the 1964 average of 25.3 kg.

Annual fish consumption increased along with Japan's economic growth until hitting a peak of 40.2 kg per capita in fiscal 2001. Since then, the figure has steadily declined.

The paper, which encourages measures to promote the appeal of fish, notes that younger people are increasingly opting for meat. It says fish consumption is particularly low among people in their 40s and younger.

Another recommendation is to concentrate on emerging nations for export opportunities as demand for fish grows overseas.

The paper cited as an example six fish processing companies in Ishinomaki, Miyagi Prefecture that banded together to export Sanriku-area fish products under a single brand name.