In a strategic move to explore new markets for its scallops, Japan, through the Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO), facilitated a visit by representatives from fourteen Japanese companies to three seafood processing plants in Ensenada, Mexico. This initiative was aimed at showcasing the scallop shelling process, with each Mexican plant receiving a ton of frozen scallops from Hokkaido, Japan, for demonstration purposes. This effort is part of Japan's broader strategy to diversify its scallop export markets, especially in light of China's reduced imports following the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant incident. Ensenada, with its proximity to the lucrative U.S. market, FDA export certification, and established seafood processing capabilities, presents a promising gateway for Japan's scallop industry to access American consumers, who view scallops as a luxury item.