Q166Japan is known as the world's largest importer of marine products. In 2003, what percentage of world marine-product imports did Japanese imports represent?

(a) 8%
(b) 18%
(c) 28%

A166I According to figures from the U.N.'s Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), in 2003 Japan imported 12.62 billion dollars worth of marine products, which represented 18% of worldwide imports in terms of value. The answer is (b). The United States was ranked second with 17%, Spain third with 7%, France fourth with 6%, and Italy fifth with 5%. When volumes are analyzed, Japan is ranked first with3.21 million tons, which represents 11% of world imports. China is second with 2.32 million tons, representing 8% of the world total. The United States is ranked third with 2.24 million tons. According to Japanese Ministry of Finance trade figures, in 2004 Japan imported 3.49 million tons of marine products, which was significantly more than in 2003.