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Pacific bluefin tuna stocks estimated to have risen 10%

May 23 (Japan Times) - The amount of Pacific bluefin tuna stocks rose 10 percent from 2014 to 21,000 tons in 2016, the Fisheries Agency said, citing an estimate by an international organization.

In light of the recovery in stocks, Japan plans to propose an expansion of catch quotas at an international meeting to be held in the city of Fukuoka in September.

The growth in stocks reflected efforts to limit catches, mainly of small bluefin tuna, under way since 2015, a Fisheries Agency official said Monday.

The Pacific bluefin tuna is highly popular in Japan for use in high-grade sushi, but stock depletion is a concern.

In December, the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission, an international body that governs tuna fishing, adopted new rules that adjust catch quotas according to the extent of stock recovery.

The commission set a goal to raise the amount of Pacific bluefin tuna stocks to 43,000 tons by 2024. It has vowed to consider expanding catch quotas if the probability of reaching the goal increases to 75 percent or better.

Typhoon No. 24 (Fung-shen) Moves Toward Vietnam, Heavy Rain Forecast For Japan

Typhoon No. 24 (Fung-shen) is strengthening over the South China Sea and is expected to make landfall in Vietnam later this week, according to forecasts. Satellite images on October 20th show extensive cloud coverage over the central South China Sea. After passing over the Philippines, Fung-shen temporarily weakened but is projected to intensify again as it continues westward through Tuesday.

Real-Life Water Police: Protecting Tokyo’s Seas and Rivers

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Tourist Graffiti Threatens Kyoto’s Iconic Bamboo Forest

Kyoto’s world-famous Arashiyama district, a popular destination for both domestic and international tourists, is facing a growing problem of graffiti etched into the bamboo along its iconic “Bamboo Grove Path,” with more than 350 stalks now damaged — a practice that experts warn could eventually cause bamboo to weaken, fall, and even injure visitors.

Japanese Streaming Services Struggle Against Netflix

Japan’s streaming industry is under growing pressure as foreign giants tighten their grip on the domestic market, with Netflix’s latest move to secure exclusive broadcast rights in Japan for every game of the World Baseball Classic next March highlighting the widening gap.

Japan Tightens Rules on Foreign Business Visas

Investigators from the Immigration Services Agency conducted on-site inspections in Osaka on October 14th amid a surge in so-called 'paper companies' created by foreign nationals seeking residency.

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