Food

Farmed Salmon Gains Popularity Across Japan

FUKUOKA, Nov 14 (News On Japan) - November 11th marks “Sake Day,” a date chosen because the kanji for salmon (鮭) contains the characters for “eleven” side by side. Although Japan’s wild salmon catch has fallen due to rising sea temperatures and shifting ocean currents, the popularity of farmed salmon is growing rapidly across the country, including in Fukuoka.

At an elementary school in Munakata City, Fukuoka Prefecture, students enjoyed salmon for their school lunch on November 11th. The dish featured “Mirai Salmon,” a locally farmed species produced by Kyushu Electric Power Group, which began land-based aquaculture in 2023 to ensure a stable domestic supply. Using AI and other technologies to optimize rearing conditions, the company now ships around 100,000 salmon each year. The fillets, thinly sliced and added to miso soup, were well received by students, who praised their rich flavor and freshness.

According to the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, Japan’s wild salmon catch has dropped to less than a quarter of its level 20 years ago, largely due to weakened southward migration and prolonged periods of warmer seawater. In contrast, the number of regional aquaculture projects producing so-called “local salmon” has nearly tripled over the past decade, reaching 147 sites nationwide. These initiatives often highlight local specialties: in Tochigi Prefecture, farmers mix strawberries into feed, while in Ehime, mikan juice byproducts are used to create distinct regional flavors.

In Fukuoka, Mirai Salmon has also become popular among restaurants. One establishment in Kitakyushu’s Yahata Nishi Ward offers ten different dishes featuring the fish. “Its bright color and freshness make it perfect for raw dishes,” said the chef, noting that farmed salmon’s controlled environment minimizes the risk of parasites, making it ideal for sashimi. Customers have praised its tender texture, subtle sweetness, and lack of odor.

Land-based aquaculture is also inspiring a new generation of entrepreneurs. In Shingu Town, 18-year-old Kōki Fujiwara manages a salmon farming business he founded with his father. After visiting a salmon farm in Kumamoto at age 15, Fujiwara decided to pursue sustainable aquaculture and now raises about 2,000 salmon using a groundwater circulation system. “We don’t use antibiotics, instead adding yogurt to boost the fish’s immune system,” he explained. His company sells salmon mainly to restaurants for around 3,000 yen per kilogram, and he hopes to expand production to meet rising demand. “Supply hasn’t caught up with demand yet,” Fujiwara said. “I want to help make salmon more accessible to families and children everywhere.”

As Japan’s climate and seafood environment evolve, farmed salmon is emerging not just as a substitute for dwindling wild stocks but as a symbol of innovation in sustainable food production.

Source: FBS福岡放送ニュース

Another Strong Offshore Quake Struck Northern Japan

A magnitude 6.7 earthquake struck off the eastern coast of Aomori on December 12th at around 11:44 a.m., triggering tsunami advisories across Hokkaido, Aomori, Iwate, and Miyagi as authorities warned that waves of up to one meter could reach coastal areas.

Akita Train Derails And Overturns, Injuring Driver

A train running on the Akita Nairiku Jukan Railway derailed and overturned near Kayakusa Station in Kitaakita City on the morning of December 12th, with the incident reported to police and fire authorities shortly before 6:50 a.m.

Kitagawa and Sakaguchi Receive Nobel Medals

The Nobel Prize award ceremony was held on the evening of December 10th, or early on December 11th in Japan, at the Stockholm Concert Hall, where King Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden presented the highest honors — the medal and certificate — to Osaka University specially appointed professor Shimon Sakaguchi, 74, the recipient of this year’s Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine, and Kyoto University distinguished professor Susumu Kitagawa, 74, who won the Nobel Prize in Chemistry.

Forbes Ranks Prime Minister Takaichi as the World’s Third Most Powerful Woman

America’s business magazine Forbes announced on December 10th that Prime Minister Takaichi has been ranked third on its list of the “World’s Most Powerful Women,” placing the Japanese leader near the top of a global ranking of 100 figures across politics, business, and culture, and marking a prominent acknowledgment of Japan’s first female prime minister.

Shibuya Passes Plan for 2,000-Yen Fine for Littering

Shibuya Ward has approved an ordinance that would impose a 2,000-yen fine for littering on public streets, while also penalizing shops that fail to provide trash bins. The measure was passed on December 10th and targets both individuals who discard waste and businesses near major stations that offer takeout services, raising questions about whether the approach will meaningfully reduce trash on the streets.

MEDIA CHANNELS

MORE Food NEWS

Mass Oyster Deaths Sparks Emergency Support

Farmed oysters in parts of the Seto Inland Sea have suffered mass mortality, with losses reaching as high as 90 percent in Hiroshima Prefecture and other affected areas, prompting the government to finalize a support package in the coming days.

Japan Shifts Toward Cheaper Bread

Skyrocketing rice prices are prompting many households to change their breakfast routines, with bread increasingly taking the place of rice as consumers look for more affordable options.

Yoshimuraya-Style Ramen! Family-Run Ramen Shop Attracts Huge Crowds from Across Japan!

A family-run ramen shop in Yokohama has become a national destination for fans of the Yoshimuraya lineage, drawing visitors from across Japan who line up daily for bowls of richly flavored ramen and the shop’s signature handmade chashu.

Eel Regulation Dropped After Japan Opposition

The proposal to strengthen regulations on international eel trade has been formally shelved, marking a result in line with the position pushed by Japan and several other countries.
EU member states and others had called for tighter controls on all eel transactions under the Washington Convention, citing global resource depletion and the need for stronger international oversight. However, Japan countered that the Japanese eel faces no imminent risk of extinction and opposed the measure.

Christmas Cakes Fly Off Shelves Despite Inflation

Christmas cake reservations are underway across Japan on the approach to Christmas in late December, yet the familiar holiday treat is once again becoming more expensive as rising ingredient costs push prices higher, prompting shops to introduce smaller, more affordable options and even cakes without Santa decorations.

Are Japan's Tea Farmers Going Matcha?

As Matcha’s popularity continues to climb, with overseas shipments expanding sharply and exports increasing more than tenfold over the past 15 years as global demand strengthens. Japan is encouraging tea growers to shift production to tencha, the raw material used to make matcha. While it may seem logical that farmers should simply increase production if matcha is selling so well, growers say the reality is far more complex.

Behind the Counter at a Japanese Bakery with 80-Year-Old Grandmas

This is Mochiyori PAN Samba, a small bakery in Oshiage near the Tokyo Skytree that creates its own Japanese deli style baked bread. What makes it special is that it is helped run by three 80 year old grandmas who are at the heart of the shop. (Paolo fromTOKYO)

One of Japan's Largest Wine Stores Opens in Nagoya

Nagoya welcomed one of Japan's largest wine sales floors on November 24th as JR Nagoya Takashimaya opened “Wine Maison” on its second basement level, creating a new destination for wine enthusiasts with a selection of roughly 2,600 varieties and 15,000 bottles sourced from around the world.

< 2 3 4 5 >