Fishermen across Japan went on a massive one-day strike July 15 to protest skyrocketing fuel prices, the latest blow to the country's floundering fish industry.

The strike was the biggest ever for Japanese fisherman, involving about 200,000 boats from all the country's major fishing unions. A protest march with thousands of demonstrators took place midday in Tokyo.

The one-day stoppage will probably have only a minor effect on local fish prices, though buyers at markets said prices were higher July 14 as demand rose in anticipation of shortages.