TOKYO - Farmed oysters in Japan’s Hiroshima Prefecture have been dying off in large quantities, prompting the government to investigate the cause and look for ways to support farmers of the seafood.

The farm ministry and the prefectural government said they have seen reports that 80 per cent to 90 per cent of the farmed oysters harvested in Higashihiroshima and Kure in the western Japan prefecture since the season began in October were prematurely dead.