When it comes to conveyor belt sushi chains, Kura Sushi is one of the top four in Japan, alongside Kappa Sushi, Sushiro, and Hama Sushi

Sushi Revolution: Kura Sushi Launches Farmed Bluefin Tuna, Eyes 'One-Stop' Production Model

Japanese Conveyor Belt Giant's New "KURA Fish Farm" Subsidiary Delivers First Contract-Farmed Bluefin, Pioneering Sustainable Supply Amid Soaring Costs.

TOKYO – Kura Sushi, Japan's popular conveyor belt sushi chain, is taking a significant bite out of rising seafood procurement challenges with a bold new strategy: a "one-stop" system for fish production and sales. Its specialized seafood subsidiary, KURA Fish Farm Co., Ltd., is set to deliver its first shipment of contract-farmed bluefin tuna this month, a move designed to secure stable, high-quality supply amidst global price hikes and dwindling wild stocks.

Photo: Kura Sushi

The inaugural batch of this prized bluefin tuna, which began contract aquaculture in August 2023, will be offered as sushi toppings at select Kura Sushi restaurants, including the new Mutenzo Nakameguro store and the global flagship store in Tokyo. The company plans to expand sales to approximately 50 urban stores across the Kanto region.

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Kura Sushi has been actively working on bolstering Japan's domestic fishing industry for over a decade. Facing issues like escalating fish prices, rising fuel costs, and a shortage of fishermen due to increasing global seafood demand, the firm established KURA Fish Farm in 2021—reportedly the industry's first fishery-specialized subsidiary. This initiative underscores Kura Sushi's commitment to marine resource conservation and sustainable fishing development.

Photo: Kura Sushi

Bluefin tuna, a species with internationally managed resources and challenging domestic farming conditions, represents a significant hurdle. To ensure a stable and affordable supply of this popular product while protecting resources, KURA Fish Farm has implemented an innovative system: it pledges to purchase all fish from producers from the moment the seedlings are acquired. This guarantees income for producers, allowing them to focus on cultivation using professional know-how, thereby establishing a seamless "one-stop" system from production to sales.

Photo: Kura Sushi

Beyond bluefin, KURA Fish Farm is involved in producing and wholesaling "Organic Hamachi" and aims to integrate "smart aquaculture" using AI and ICT to address labor shortages and improve working conditions. By offering long-term contracts and stable income, the group seeks to provide profitable opportunities and improve efficiency for producers and fishing cooperatives, contributing to youth employment in the fishing industry and regional revitalization.

As the Japanese fishing industry navigates an increasingly challenging environment, Kura Sushi aims to continue offering high-quality, affordable sushi by ensuring stable supply and effective cost management through this pioneering vertical integration model.

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