Per capita seafood consumption in Japan has dropped to a historic low, falling even below the global average
Published 2025년 6월 12일
Tridge summary
Analysis suggests that Japan's seafood consumption continues to experience a historic decline, reflecting changes in population structure, consumer behavior, and climate change issues. The downward trend spans all age groups, with a notably widening gap between younger and older generations. In 2023, seafood consumption among those over 60 was almost twice that of people around 30 years old.
The white paper notes that global per capita seafood consumption reached 20.2 kilograms in 2020, nearly matching current Japanese household consumption. Calculated based on gradual global per capita consumption growth, Japan, historically the largest seafood consumer, now has a per capita consumption below the world average.
Part of this disparity is related to continuously rising seafood prices in Japan. Compared to other meat proteins, fish and shellfish have seen larger price increases in recent years. Fresh seafood consumers are highly sensitive to price hikes, and young consumers are reducing seafood consumption due to high prices and inconvenient cooking.
Salmon, tuna, Pacific saury, yellowtail, squid, and mackerel remain mainstream products for Japanese consumers. However, Pacific saury, once a seasonal staple, has almost disappeared from dining tables due to dramatically reduced catch volumes.
In 2023, Japan's total seafood supply was 6.21 million tons, a 3.3% decrease from the previous year and a 27% decline since 2012. Japan's seafood self-sufficiency rate is 54%, with continued dependence on imported goods.
The white paper also emphasizes that Japanese fisheries face increasingly severe environmental challenges. Over the past century, sea surface temperatures around Japan have risen by 1.2 degrees Celsius, with warming accelerating in recent decades. The changing marine environment has already impacted major commercial species. Catch volumes for Pacific saury, wild salmon, and squid have drastically declined, while species like yellowtail and Pacific mackerel are migrating northward. Climate change may further disrupt fishing and traditional fishing grounds.
As a response, the government is promoting adaptive strategies, including strengthening resource monitoring, adjusting catch quotas, and increasing aquaculture investments.
Simultaneously, Japanese fisheries are facing a serious labor crisis. The number of people engaged in fishing and aquaculture has dropped from approximately 197,000 twenty
The white paper notes that global per capita seafood consumption reached 20.2 kilograms in 2020, nearly matching current Japanese household consumption. Calculated based on gradual global per capita consumption growth, Japan, historically the largest seafood consumer, now has a per capita consumption below the world average.
Part of this disparity is related to continuously rising seafood prices in Japan. Compared to other meat proteins, fish and shellfish have seen larger price increases in recent years. Fresh seafood consumers are highly sensitive to price hikes, and young consumers are reducing seafood consumption due to high prices and inconvenient cooking.
Salmon, tuna, Pacific saury, yellowtail, squid, and mackerel remain mainstream products for Japanese consumers. However, Pacific saury, once a seasonal staple, has almost disappeared from dining tables due to dramatically reduced catch volumes.
In 2023, Japan's total seafood supply was 6.21 million tons, a 3.3% decrease from the previous year and a 27% decline since 2012. Japan's seafood self-sufficiency rate is 54%, with continued dependence on imported goods.
The white paper also emphasizes that Japanese fisheries face increasingly severe environmental challenges. Over the past century, sea surface temperatures around Japan have risen by 1.2 degrees Celsius, with warming accelerating in recent decades. The changing marine environment has already impacted major commercial species. Catch volumes for Pacific saury, wild salmon, and squid have drastically declined, while species like yellowtail and Pacific mackerel are migrating northward. Climate change may further disrupt fishing and traditional fishing grounds.
As a response, the government is promoting adaptive strategies, including strengthening resource monitoring, adjusting catch quotas, and increasing aquaculture investments.
Simultaneously, Japanese fisheries are facing a serious labor crisis. The number of people engaged in fishing and aquaculture has dropped from approximately 197,000 twenty
Original content
Analysis suggests that Japan's seafood consumption continues to experience a historic decline, reflecting changes in population structure, consumer behavior, and climate change issues. The downward trend spans all age groups, with a notably widening gap between younger and older generations. In 2023, seafood consumption among people over 60 was almost twice that of individuals around 30 years old. The white paper notes that global per capita seafood consumption reached 20.2 kilograms in 2020, nearly matching current Japanese household consumption. Calculated based on gradual global per capita consumption growth, Japan, historically the largest seafood consumer, now has a per capita consumption below the world average. Part of this contrast is due to continuously rising seafood prices in Japan. Compared to other meat proteins, fish and shellfish have seen larger price increases in recent years. Fresh seafood consumers are highly sensitive to price hikes, and young consumers are ...
Source: Foodmate
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