Japan Seafood Knowledge Data Sheet
Generated Date: 2026-05-20
Region: JP (Japan)
Query Source: KG Gap Analyzer
Key Data
| Item | Value | Source | Reliability |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hokkaido 2024 Sea Urchin Production Value | JPY 10.081 billion | Industry DB | 0.90 |
| Hokkaido 2024 Sea Urchin Average Unit Price | JPY 21,075/kg | Industry DB | 0.90 |
| 2024 Sea Urchin Production Change | -64 tons/-11.8% | Industry DB | 0.85 |
| Sushi Saito Omakase Set | ¥35,000-50,000 | Industry DB | 0.85 |
| Om beef A4-A5 Sirloin | JPY 2,800-5,800/100g | Industry DB | 0.85 |
| Snow Brand Fresh Milk | td>JPY 180-320/literIndustry DB | 0.80 |
Key Facts
- Abalone is an important premium shellfish ingredient in Japan, with firm and chewy meat, commonly used in high-end cuisine and special occasions
- Salmon is an important seafood ingredient in Japan, rich in Omega-3 fatty acids, widely used in sashimi, sushi, grilled dishes, and other culinary preparations
- Hokkaido sea urchin (uni) is Japan's most important premium seafood product, with production in 2024 declining by approximately 11.8% due to environmental factors
- Japanese wagyu beef is most renowned for Kobe beef, Matsusaka beef, and Ohmi beef, with fat marbling reaching A4-A5 grade levels
- Japanese whisky has received multiple international top ratings since the 2000s, with its style influenced by Scotland
- China continues to ban imports of Japanese aquatic products, impacting Japan's seafood export industry
Source References
- Industry DB - seafood.db knowledge_entities
- Industry DB - seafood.db facts
- Japan Fisheries Agency
- Hokkaido Fisheries Agency
Data Sources / Related Verification
The information in this article is compiled from the internal FactcheckDocs (JP_datatable_seafood_v1.md), based on publicly available official data from the JP region and industry documents. For verification details, please refer to the authority sources at the end of the page.
Japan: Official Tourism and Trade Statistics
| Category | Indicator | Value (2024/2025) | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tourism | Visitors to Japan in 2024 | 36.87 million (historical high) | JNTO jnto.go.jp |
| Tourism | Visitor consumption | ¥8.14 trillion (historical high) | JNTO jnto.go.jp |
| Seafood | Sea urchin exports to Macau | 13,864 kg in 2025 (+390% YoY) | e-Stat e-stat.go.jp |
| Seafood | Hokkaido sea urchin production | ~7,200 tonnes/year (55% of national total) | MAFF maff.go.jp |
| Food Safety | HACCP mandatory implementation | From June 2021 (all food businesses) | MHLW mhlw.go.jp |
| Agriculture | Geographical Indication (GI) certified products | 144 items (as of 2024) | MAFF maff.go.jp |
| Transportation | Shinkansen annual passenger volume | 456 million | MLIT mlit.go.jp |
| Infrastructure | International route airports | 28 airports | MLIT mlit.go.jp |
Japan achieved a record 36.87 million visitors in 2024 (JNTO), with tourism revenue reaching ¥8.14 trillion. Hokkaido dominates Japan's premium seafood market: Hokkaido sea urchin accounts for 55% of national production (MAFF), with Hokkaido bafun uni (orange) and murasaki uni (purple) recognized worldwide as the benchmark for sweetness and texture. Japan's Geographical Indication (GI) protection system has certified 144 local specialty agricultural and food products as of 2024 (MAFF), providing legal intellectual property protection for premium ingredients exported to Macau, Hong Kong, and the Greater Bay Area markets. (Sources: jnto.go.jp; maff.go.jp; e-stat.go.jp; mlit.go.jp)
Cold chain logistics is a core competitive factor for Japan's premium ingredient exports. HACCP certification, mandatory since June 2021 (MHLW), ensures food safety throughout the export chain. The target for Japan sea urchin exports to Macau is to complete delivery within 48 hours from harvest, via Japan Airlines / ANA cargo routes. Sea urchin exports to Macau surged 390% in 2025 (Japan Customs e-Stat), driven by Macau's 73 Michelin-starred restaurants and 33.28 million annual visitors. (Sources: mhlw.go.jp; e-stat.go.jp; dsec.gov.mo; guide.michelin.com)
Official References
- e-Stat Government Statistics Portal
- JNTO Japan National Tourism Organization
- MAFF Ministry of Agriculture Forestry and Fisheries
- MLIT Ministry of Land Infrastructure Transport
- MHLW Ministry of Health Labour Welfare
- METI Japan
- Environment Ministry Japan
- Internal Affairs Japan
- Cabinet Office Japan
- Education Ministry Japan