'fish Day' Campaign To Boost Flagging Seafood Sales
People in Japan are eating less and less fish as sales of the traditional staple continue to decline. That's led the government and businesses to team up in a bid to reverse the trend. The Fisheries Agency has designated the third to the seventh of each month as "Fish Days."
So far, more than 600 companies and groups have thrown their weight behind the campaign.
Major convenience store chain FamilyMart plans to offer more seafood products, including microwave fish dishes, from late November.
Ishii Hiroshi of FamilyMart says: "Many people think cooking fish is a lot of work. If we can make fish products easier to eat and convince people, I think it is possible to boost sales."
The amount of fish and shellfish consumed in Japan peaked in fiscal 2001. Since then, annual consumption has slumped by more than 40 percent to 23 kilograms per person.
In a 2019 survey, many people cited their preference for meat, the perceived high cost of seafood, and the difficulty of preparing it as factors in their choices.
The Fisheries Agency aims to support Japan's fishing industry and ensure sustainable marine resources while promoting seafood consumption.