Japan's blue economy part 3: fishing

In part 1, we looked at the history of Japan’s shipbuilding industry, from its early days to today’s innovations such as AI-driven marine startups developing autonomous navigation technologies.

In part 2, we focused on Asia’s growing aquaculture industry, tracing the roots of kaiten-zushi (conveyor-belt sushi) and explored how major kaiten-sushi chains are now using technology to improve fish farming.

Now, with the groundwork laid, we take a look at fishing itself, examining the latest trends in digital transformation and smart fishing.

Looking at the latest data on Japan’s fishing industry, we can see that natural fishing still produces more than aquaculture in terms of annual catch volume. However, the fishing industry faces many serious challenges.

In this section, we will explore these pressing issues and look at the efforts being made to solve them — including the work of marine tech startups and academic initiatives that are driving innovation and transformation in the industry.

Digital Transformation and the Smart Shift in the Fishing industry

In Japan’s natural fishing industry, new technologies such as IoT, AI, and data communication systems are starting to play a key role:

• Ocean Solution Technology developed Triton’s Spear, a solution that uses big data, IoT, and AI to make fishing more efficient and productive. They also created the world’s first automated fishing log system and are working on tools to visualize sea conditions and help pass fishing skills to the next generation.
• AquaFusion provides a wide range of tools for fishing and aquaculture, including sensors and databases. Its underwater ultrasonic technology allows for individual fish detection that surpasses traditional fish finders.
• Marindows is developing a marine OS and digital content for the maritime industry. By integrating next-generation communication and AI technologies, the company aims to build a sustainable and efficient future for the sea.

Academic institutions are also contributing. Future University Hakodate has launched the Marine IT Lab, bringing together researchers, local fishermen, and government officials to promote data-driven smart fishing through digital transformation.

Why Smart Fishing Matters

There are clear reasons why Japan’s fishing industry needs digital transformation. Our country faces declining production and fewer workers in both fishing and aquaculture.

While global fish production and per-capita seafood consumption continue to rise, Japan is seeing the opposite trend.

Production has fallen sharply: from 12.82 million tons in 1984 to just 3.83 million tons in 2023. The reasons include restricted access to foreign fishing grounds due to Exclusive Economic Zones (EEZs) and climate change, which is disrupting marine environments.

Meanwhile, fish consumption is dropping because seafood can be harder to cook than other foods, and rising prices make it less accessible.

The fishing workforce is also shrinking and aging. The Japanese government and local authorities are supporting programs to attract new workers, but more change is needed.

Smart fishing aims to reverse these trends, using technology to stabilize seafood supply and create a sustainable, growing industry.

Climate Change and Pollution

As mentioned, one major reason for declining fish catches is the deterioration of fishing environments. Changes in ocean currents and rising sea temperatures have affected fish distribution and resource levels.

Another serious issue is marine pollution, especially from plastic waste. Fishing nets and propellers can become tangled in drifting plastics, leading to equipment damage and higher fuel use. Microplastics also accumulate on the seafloor and seaweed beds, harming breeding grounds for young fish.

In response, researchers are developing biodegradable plastics, while companies like amu, previously featured in BlackBox Founder Story, are working on recycling plastic fishing nets into new products.

Across Japan’s regions, marine tech startups are helping drive the fishing industry toward recovery and growth. At the same time, local volunteer groups are taking action to protect the ocean environment. Together, these efforts are shaping a brighter, more sustainable future for Japan’s ocean and industry.

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