Editor’s Note
This article highlights the ongoing challenges faced by Japan’s aquaculture sector, specifically in Uwajima City, a leading producer of farmed red sea bream and pearls. The visit by a senior Komeito official underscores the political attention being given to industries impacted by decreased distribution channels and rising operational costs during the pandemic.
In order to protect local industries suffering severe damage from the spread of the novel coronavirus, Seiji Ishida, Chairman of the Komeito Party’s Policy Research Council, recently visited Uwajima City, Ehime Prefecture, which boasts Japan’s top production volumes for farmed red sea bream and pearls. He heard about the current situation from Mayor Fumiaki Okahara and aquaculture industry stakeholders. Accompanying him were Prefectural Assembly members Hiroyuki Sasaoka and Homare Kimura, and City Assembly members Kōra Matsumoto, Shōzō Wagatsuma, and Hirofumi Hatakeyama.
Uwajima City, facing the Uwa Sea famous as one of Japan’s leading aquaculture areas and producing about 18,000 tons of farmed red sea bream annually, has seen producers placed in a difficult position due to voluntary restrictions on going out and nationwide distribution stagnation caused by the pandemic.
Mr. Ishida and his group heard about the situation at the city hall. The city is implementing a campaign called “#Let’sEatTai (Sea Bream)” where people post photos and writings related to sea bream, such as meals, purchases, or fishing, on social media to support farmed sea bream producers. Movements to support the local industry are also spreading among private companies, including major conveyor belt sushi chain “Kura Sushi” and local supermarkets. However, feed costs, which constitute the majority of production costs, are a burden for aquaculture farmers, and many continue to operate at a loss.
pointed out Gonichi Kiwada, Representative Director and President of Uwajima Project Co., Ltd., which intermediates between local aquaculture farmers and the market. He requested support that would reduce the burden on producers.
The group also visited Nakata Suisan Co., Ltd., which produces brand farmed sea bream like “Mikan (Mandarin) Tai” and “Ichigo (Strawberry) Tai.” Representative Director Rikio Nakata explained that shipments of large red sea bream (2-4 kg, 4-year-old fish), mainly exported to countries like South Korea, were stalled, and because the aquaculture nets were not emptying, they could not raise juvenile fish.
he said, describing the dire situation.
Meanwhile, pearls, which also rank first in Japan’s production volume alongside red sea bream, have been severely impacted. In the city, following last year’s damage from mass mortality of the mother Akoya oysters, a serious situation continues this year due to decreased domestic demand from the pandemic and instability in the situation of Hong Kong, its largest trading market.
said Yōan Takebe, Management Committee Chairman of the Shimohata Branch of the Prefectural Fisheries Cooperative. He requested support for developing new sales channels and creating an environment conducive to fostering successors.
After the inspection, Mr. Ishida stated,
and Prefectural Assembly member Sasaoka said,