Chris Loew

Chris Loew

Contributing Editor reporting from Osaka, Japan

Chris Loew reports from Osaka, Japan as a contributing editor for SeafoodSource.com. In addition to writing for SeafoodSource.com, he covers Japan for stock-investing newsletter Global Investing. He co-authored a college language text, “Healthcare English:  Read, Write and Speak It.” When not writing, he proofreads Japanese-to-English translations. Chris is a 1990 graduate of The Evergreen State College in Olympia, Washington. After graduation, he worked for two years in the purchasing department of a Japanese meat importer, and for five years as export director for two Seattle food companies, selling to customers in the Far East, and arranging shipping and export documentation for mixed containers of frozen foods.

Published on
April 27, 2022

Despite mounting tensions, Japan and Russia have successfully concluded talks on salmon and trout fishing on 22 April. Japan applied sanctions to Russia after its invasion of Ukraine in February, 

Japan has agreed to pay Russia from USD 1.6 million to USD 2.3 million (EUR 1.5 million to EUR 2.1 million), depending on the catch total, for fish caught in its own exclusive economic zone (EEZ) north of Hokkaido. The payment

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Published on
April 22, 2022

Tokyo, Japan-basedbased Marubeni Corporation and Norway-based Proximar Seafood AS have announced an agreement making Marubeni the exclusive distributor in Japan of Atlantic salmon produced by the recirculating aquaculture system (RAS) Proximar is building in Shizuoka Prefecture, Japan …

Photo courtesy of

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Published on
April 22, 2022

The Seventh Annual Session of the Commission of the North Pacific Fisheries Commission (NPFC) was postponed until further notice after some members felt it would be difficult to proceed due to the invasion of Ukraine and related sanctions against Russia, as Russia was scheduled to chair the meeting.

According to The Pew Charitable Trusts Senior Officer for International Fisheries Grantly Galland, the NPFC is failing to address the critical issue

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Published on
April 15, 2022

Researchers in Japan are investigating alternative sources for aquaculture feed as the country’s growing aquaculture sector hits the limits of the country's traditional supply of aquafeed.

The main materials for aquaculture feed – fishmeal and fish oil – remain a limited resource. Despite increased substitution of other ingredients in feed, like soy proteins, poultry byproducts, and fish-processing waste,

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Published on
April 11, 2022

Japan’s Fisheries Agency has released its preliminary figures for domestic bluefin tuna farming performance in 2021, showing the number of farms, the stocking of both wild and hatchery seedlings, and the total production by number and weight have all increased in the past year.

The agency has surveyed and summarized cultivation results reported by bluefin tuna farmers nationwide since 2011, in line with a 2010 policy document titled

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Published on
April 7, 2022

Two whaling vessels departed Ayukawa Port in Ishinomaki, Miyagi Prefecture, Japan, on 3 April – the first vessels to depart for the start of Japan’s 2022 commercial whaling season, which runs from 1 April to the end of the year.

The No. 8 Koei Maru and No. 3 Daikatsu Maru are small “catcher” vessels with a raised sighting platform and a harpoon gun mounted on the bow, operated by Ayukawa Whale Co., which also operates a

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Published on
April 1, 2022

The quarterly financial results of Japan’s major sushi chains show a rebound in sales after Japanese prefectures lifted COVID-related restrictions on restaurants' operating hours and alcohol sales, which were originally imposed in October 2021.

However, profits suffered at Japan's major sushi chains as they competed to entice customers back into their shops with special deals and promotions.

All of the top sushi brands are of the

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Published on
April 1, 2022

Japan’s economic sanctions against Russia over the invasion of Ukraine have complicated the two countries' cooperation in fishery management.

Photo courtesy of GUDKOV

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Published on
March 25, 2022

Japanese companies are increasingly creating high-tech solutions for problems faced in fishing and aquaculture, using things like artificial intelligence, robots, and more.

At the 24th Japan International Seafood Show – scheduled for 24 to 26 August at Tokyo Big Sight (officially known as Tokyo International Exhibition Center) – several companies plan to show off some of the new tech at a co-event called Fish Next Technology EXPO.

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Published on
March 22, 2022

Japan will follow America’s lead by revoking Russia’s most-favored-nation (MFN) status, resulting in higher prices to Japanese consumers for most imports from the country.

MFN status allows a country to receive the best trade terms given by its trading partner, such as the lowest tariffs or highest import quota, ensuring all countries with the status are treated equally. By revoking the status, Japan will subject imports from Russia

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