The Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Ministry launched a special nationwide inspection Monday to verify whether supermarkets and other retailers are appropriately labeling wild and cultured fish.
If serious labeling violations are uncovered, the ministry will publicize violators' names under the Japan Agriculture Standards Law, ministry officials said.
Wild fish, which is believed to be of higher quality, is more expensive than cultured fish.
The inspection will cover 3,000 stores nationwide and continue until June.
Ministry inspectors will check sales slips, interview relevant people and purchase fish from about 300 stores to determine whether the fish is wild or cultured by analyzing fatty acids.