Japan, the leading world market for sashimi tuna, shrinks.

摘要

This article discusses the changes in the sashimi tuna market in Japan. Increased production costs, reduced fishing quotas and stringent regulations in foreign fishing grounds, a reduction in consumers' disposable income, reports of food contamination in imported packaged food from China, and the cold harsh weather are among some of the factors responsible for a decline in the Japanese tuna market. Leading supermarkets in Japan are coping with the price rise of fresh and frozen sashimi tuna through portion control. Although imports of tuna in general declined compared to the previous year, a review of the overall frozen tuna markets indicates that the market absorbed more tuna loins, largely imported. It is only during festivals that consumer demand for tuna and other high-end seafood may have been revived in Japan. To combat this irregular trend in the domestic market, the Japanese government has launched a serious export promotion campaign and plans to increase fishery export in the coming years.