- Japan is shifting its aquaculture sector towards an export-driven growth model to counter declining domestic seafood consumption.
- The government’s new strategy emphasises technological innovation to address labor shortages, climate risks, and limited coastal space.
- The sector faces challenges such as climate change impacts, as well as persistent issues with labor shortages, feed price volatility, and limited suitable farming sites.
Released on June 5, the 2025 Fisheries White Paper details a clear policy shift towards export-driven aquaculture.
The main driver of this shift is Japan’s declining seafood consumption.
According to the report, per capita seafood consumption fell from a peak of 40.2 kg in 2001 to 21.3 kg in 2024.
Since 2011, fish consumption has remained stubbornly below meat consumption despite government campaigns to revitalise Japan’s seafood culture.
In contrast, seafood export surged to 640,000 tonnes in 2025, up 42.9 per cent year on year, while export value rose 17.2 per cent to a record JPY423.1bn.
This mirrors global seafood production trends, with aquaculture output now surpassing capture fisheries. By 2024, aquaculture accounted for around 60% of total production.
With demand rising alongside population growth, aquaculture is expected to continue expanding.
“In Japan, due to population decrease, domestic seafood demand is expected to decline long-term. Meanwhile globally, demand and trade are expected to expand due to population growth and economic development. Therefore, aquaculture represents an opportunity to move away from domestic-demand dependence and strengthen the ability to earn from overseas markets.”
Boosting the sector
The white paper sets out a multi-pronged push to grow Japan’s aquaculture sector through exports.
Central to this strategy is the use of technology to lift productivity and resilience.
The government is backing selective breeding, feed innovation, offshore cage systems, and digital and AI-driven production management to offset labour shortages, climate stress, and limited coastal space.
Offshore aquaculture is being promoted to scale output beyond crowded nearshore waters, despite higher capital requirements.
Land-based aquaculture is also part of the growth plan, positioned as a complementary pathway to stabilise production and reduce environmental exposure.
The white paper also calls for strengthening feed and seed systems, including efforts to cut dependence on imported fishmeal through alternative feeds and to improve breeding and juvenile production.
More recently, aquaculture farmers in Kagoshima formally asked the Fisheries Agency to ensure a stable supply of live feed and help mitigate sharp rises in feed prices.
“We are supporting efforts to ensure a stable supply, such as utilising miscellaneous fish that have not traditionally been used as live feed in aquaculture. We are also working with Kagoshima Prefecture to coordinate with local fishing vessels to secure sardines and mackerel for live feed.
“In addition, we are utilising the expertise of advanced aquaculture farmers and research institutions to promote the shift from live feed to compound feed,” said Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, Norikazu Suzuki.
Risks and challenges
While Japan’s aquaculture sector has structural advantages for an export‑led strategy, the white paper makes clear that it will not be a straightforward task.
One long-term challenge is climate change. Japan has experienced mass mortality events in oysters and scallops linked to rising sea temperatures.
The white paper also warns of growing risks from red tides, disease and deteriorating water quality.
Feed remains one of the biggest expenses in finfish farming, and Japan’s heavy reliance on imported fishmeal leaves producers exposed to price volatility.
While research into alternative feeds, including insect‑ and microalgae‑based inputs, is accelerating, the white paper said the options were not yet cost-competitive.
Labour shortages present another constraint, as aquaculture operations are often located in ageing coastal communities.
Digital tools and automation could help ease those pressures, but they would also raise capital requirements for farmers.
Space is also limited. Suitable coastal farming sites are increasingly scarce, and overcrowding has exacerbated environmental and disease risks.
While offshore aquaculture is being promoted as a solution, it requires larger upfront investments and more sophisticated technology.
In some species, particularly eel, dependence on wild‑caught juveniles remains unresolved.
Although progress has been made towards full‑cycle aquaculture, artificially produced seed remains significantly more expensive, limiting commercial scalability.
