Japanese seafood exporters seek growth in international markets

Published Jul 8, 2025

Tridge summary

Key Insight: According to SeafoodMedia, local seafood demand in Japan has been halved since 2001, with per capita consumption dropping to 21.4 kilograms in fiscal year 2023. As a result, the industry is increasingly turning its focus toward international markets. Aquaculture and strict quality control are the primary pathways driving this expansion.

Original content

A typical example of this trend is the growing popularity of fugu (pufferfish) overseas. At the Japanese restaurant "Genpin" in Singapore, local diners are enjoying a multi-course meal featuring pufferfish directly supplied from Shimonoseki City in Yamaguchi Prefecture, including pufferfish sashimi and pufferfish hot pot. Since 2022, Singapore has relaxed import restrictions on farmed pufferfish and all its edible parts, and now local Singaporeans account for 60%-70% of the restaurant's customers. Kanmonkai Co., which operates the restaurant, and the pufferfish supplier Yoshida Suisan Co. both believe the Singapore market has "immense potential," though the EU, UK, Vietnam, and other regions have ...

Source: Foodmate