Japan Fish Farming Market Assessment, By Species, By Scale, By Water Source, By Purpose, By End-user, By Distribution Channel, By Region, Opportunities and Forecast, FY2018-FY2032F

Japan fish farming market is projected to witness a CAGR of 2.10% during the forecast period FY2025-FY2032, growing from USD 5.65 billion in FY2024 to USD 6.67 billion in FY2032. Japan has long relied on its surrounding marine resources, but overfishing and environmental changes have significantly declined wild fish populations. To address this, Japan is increasingly turning toward fish farming as a sustainable alternative to meet its seafood demand while preserving natural fish stocks. As per the estimates of the Food and Agriculture Organization, the fish consumption in Japan in 2024 was 5,842 tons.

The technological changes have made land-based aquaculture more practical and efficient in Japan. The recirculation aquaculture systems recycle the water through a closed-loop system, hence giving complete control over the quality of water, temperature, and waste management, consequently optimizing all the conditions for growing fish. Such systems have been prevalent in Japan due to the high demand for space and strict laws on environmental considerations. For instance, in June 2024, Soul of Japan K.K., a Japanese aquaculture company, announced that it had secured a long-term debt facility worth USD 211 million (JPY 33 billion) to develop a recirculating aquaculture system (RAS) facility. This facility will be Asia's largest land-based salmon farm and is expected to produce 10,000 tons of Atlantic Salmon annually.

Furthermore, the fish farming market is witnessing expansion due to closed containment systems, automated feeding, and water quality monitoring. These innovations are enhancing efficiency and reducing environmental impacts, allowing better regulation of fish health and growth conditions. It has been made significant in Japan due to space and natural resource constraints.

Fish farming is supported by the Government of Japan as one of the diversification economies, especially for rural coastal areas, since fishing industries are able to create jobs and sustain the economy at the grassroots level. It thus has become an integral component of various regional development strategies.

Land-based Fish Farming to Drive Market Growth

Land-based fish farming is a rapidly developing recirculating aquaculture system in Japan. The country has a very dense population on a relatively small land space, which presents significant challenges to traditional aquaculture and marine fisheries. It has resulted in overfishing and pollution in coastal waters, hence reducing wild fish stocks and necessitating alternative ways of producing fish. Land-based fish farming is a more viable or sustainable alternative to aquaculture since the levels of degradation of the environment, mainly water pollution and escape of farmed species to the wild, are generally high.

Besides, land-based fish farming is gaining popularity in the country due to the emphasis that has been laid on the quality and security of food. With more control over the farming environment, producers can produce high-quality fish that is disease-free and meets all the stringent safety standards required by Japanese consumers. It is a method that will allow the production of premium varieties of fish for Japan's sophisticated seafood market.

General Oyster, a Tokyo-based company, announced in January 2024 that it had successfully farmed oysters on the land for the very first time in the world. The company utilizes indoor tanks with controlled water temperature and quality, which enables a stable supply of fish of a standard quality.

Increasing Seafood Consumption

Japan has a massive demand for seafood, which is augmenting the growth of the fish farming market. Seafood is a staple in Japanese cuisine, forming the base of iconic dishes such as sushi, sashimi, and tempura. According to the USDA Foreign Agricultural Service estimates, Japan is one of the world's leading seafood consumers, contributing to the imports of USD 15 billion of seafood products in 2022.

Japan's geographical surroundings, bounded by nutrient-rich waters, have long made seafood an abundant and accessible food supply. Besides, health-conscious consumers appreciate the nutritional advantages of seafood, such as high-quality protein and omega-3 fatty acids, which are associated with numerous health benefits. Moreover, there is an essential industrial and market relevance to the fishing industry and seafood markets in Japan, guaranteeing seafood remains a central component of daily consumption and culinary culture.

Salmon to Dominate Market Share in Japan

Salmon is consumed in a high quantity in Japan due to cultural preference, health benefits derived from its consumption, and market dynamics. Salmon fish consumption in Japan has been fueled by the advancement of freezing and farming techniques, which have made it a lot safer for consumption.

The richness and flavor in taste, further assisted by all-round culinary usage, have made salmon popular. It is widely used in sushi, sashimi, and other dishes in Japanese cuisine, finding favor with a huge range of consumers. Besides, health imperatives ascribed to salmon, such as high omega-3 fatty acid content, falling in line with health-conscious Japanese consumer trends, further drive the consumption of this fish variety. Other factors, such as consistency of supply and reasonable and relatively stable prices, make salmon more favored than other kinds of fish.

In May 2024, Proximar Ltd, a Japanese land-based salmon farmer, expected to harvest its first Atlantic Salmon in September 2024. Proximar operates its first production facility at the foot of Mount Fuji in Japan. The company targets an annual production of 5,300 tons in Phase 1, with a gradual increase following the initial harvest.

Future Market Scenario (FY2025 - FY2032F)

The market is expected to witness expansion in the fish farming market due to the regulation of the standards of fish farming by global regulatory bodies such as the Aquaculture Stewardship Council. The regulations help fish farmers promote the best environmental and social fish farming, which fulfills the sustainability requirements. For instance, in June 2024, a Japanese fish farm, Izumisawa-Suisan Co.Ltd., became the first commercial farm to obtain Aquaculture Stewardship Council (ASC) certification for its cherry salmon production. The farm, which produces coho salmon, is based in Kamaishi City.

Key Players Landscape and Outlook

The increased key players' investments and multinational companies in the fish farming market in Japan, along with the introduction of innovative products, are driving the market growth exponentially. The growth is fueled by the entry of new players into the emerging market and existing products.

As land-based fish farming is gaining wide popularity in Japan, the key players are expanding their operations and initiating business in land-based or off-shore fish farming. For instance, in May 2022, JGC Holdings Corporation announced that its subsidiary, JGC Japan Corporation, a domestic EPC business company, has been awarded a contract to form a new company, Kamome Mirai Fisheries Company, to develop technology and demonstrate production in the field of onshore aquaculture together with building associated sales channels.