![]() Japan’s prior total allowable effort system resulted in relatively little data collection, making the creation of a MSY policy more difficult. ![]() Even then those tuna fisheries may have their certifications suspended in June 2023 if the WCPFC does not meet an MSC ultimatum to implement a harvest-control rule at its December 2022 meeting. The WCPFC-managed tuna fisheries were able to achieve the MSC standard because their management system is based on maximum-sustainable yield (MSY), something that the Japanese government adopt until relatively recently, when it began to shift from total allowable effort to total allowable catch. Of the eight named MSC fisheries, six are tuna fisheries managed by the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission, rather than the Japanese government, and the remaining two named MSC fisheries are rope-grown bivalve fisheries, which are relatively easy to certify since there is no pollution and no bycatch associated with them. The types of fisheries certified offer a clue as to why Japan is struggling. The boom in ASC certification in Japan is in stark contrast to the country’s MSC certifications, despite Japan’s extensive fishing activity. ![]() That number was up from just 61 in 2019, lifting Japan's ranking to sixth globally for the number of farm sites with ASC certification, though it lags behind in volume of certified seafood produced, ranking 29th overall. “In Japan, the number of companies that have achieved ASC certification is growing – with 82 companies already certified as of August 2022,” the groups said in a press release. ASC and the Tokyo-based social and environmental organization Seafood Legacy signed a memorandum of understanding on 14 September to deepen their collaboration for publicity and developing sales channels. Since the eco-label push, ASC certification in Japan has been increasing. In addition featuring Aquaculture Stewardship Council (ASC) and MSC-certified seafood at its own cafeterias, it has helped other companies adopt best practices in regard to sourcing and promoting sustainable seafood, and has also helped its caterers and food suppliers to obtain chain of custody certification. Panasonic Corporation has been a prominent promoter of eco-labeled seafood. For those related to Goal 14 “Life Below Water,” popular initiatives include efforts to reduce ocean plastic, funding of habitat restoration such as replanting kelp beds and sea grass beds, and encouraging consumption of eco-labeled seafood. The practical effect in Japan has been clear for companies, which have cited accomplishments or activities for each goal in the corporate social responsibility (CSR) portion of their annual reports. The Keidanren, a comprehensive economic organization comprised of 1,494 representative companies in Japan, 108 nationwide industrial associations, and the regional economic organizations for all 47 prefectures, revised its Charter of Corporate Behavior with the primary aim of proactively delivering on the SDGs through the realization of what it terms “Society 5.0.” The shift envisions a transformation of society by utilizing IoT, AI, robots, and other innovative technologies to optimize individual lives and society as a whole, based on the principles of the SDGs. It also established the SDGs Promotion Roundtable Meeting where government, NGOs, experts, and business gather to make policy recommendations. The headquarters, headed by Japan's former prime minister, Shinzo Abe, was created to ensure a whole-of-government approach to implementing the agenda comprehensively. In September 2015, Japan adopted the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and the country established an SDG Promotion Headquarters in May 2016. The relatively sparse amount of MSC certifications, compared to most other countries with similar fishing efforts, contrasts Japan’s goals on sustainability. The MSC will release in its upcoming Annual Report that the number of MSC certified fisheries worldwide had grown to 539 as of March 2022. ![]() Seven fisheries are currently in assessment. By this counting method, there are now 14 certified fisheries in Japan. MSC counts named fisheries according the number of number of species fished (e.g., a named fishery that fishes for both bonito and albacore is counted as two certified fisheries.). There are eight named MSC fisheries in Japan, but some of these fish for multiple species. Even as eco-labels gain more market traction in Japan, the number of Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) certified fisheries in the country remains low.
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