From November 7-8, 2019, Tokyo Sustainable Seafood Symposium 2019 was held in Tokyo.

This symposium is one of the largest sustainable seafood events in Asia that has been held every year since 2015. This year’s symposium was organized by the Seafood Legacy Co., Ltd. and Nikkei ESG, with Walton Family Foundation and The David and Lucile Packard Foundation as co-organizers. Lectures and talk sessions were held by companies, governments and NGOs that promote sustainable seafood. JCCU participated as an Exhibit & Content Partner with an exhibition booth.

At the talk session under the theme “Role of Retailers: Driving the Sustainable Seafood Initiatives”, MATSUMOTO Satoshi of JCCU was one of the speakers. He explained the environmental considerations of CO・OP Brand Products and JCCU’s policy for sustainable seafood procurement. In addition, he introduced the brochure “Ethical by CO・OP” produced by JCCU and explained the efforts that JCCU and member co-ops are making to raise awareness of Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) certification and Aquaculture Stewardship Council (ASC) certification through communication with co-op members.

The first Japan Sustainable Seafood Award Ceremony was also held at the same symposium recognizing organizations, individuals and projects that have contributed to boosting the Japanese sustainable seafood market. JCCU participation project “The Shrimp Farming Improvement Project in Sulawesi Indonesia (AIP)” was awarded the Collaboration Award.

related JCCU NEWS “Sulawesi Island Shrimp Farming Improvement Project”: /eng/news/2018/07/sulawesi-island-shrimp-farming-improvement-project.html

Collaboration Award is given to an impactful multi-stakeholder collaborative project which took an innovative approach to drive the change in Japan. There are four reasons for the project to receive the award.

・ The project is a comprehensive one created by the cooperation of aquaculture sites, environmental NPOs and distribution companies, and with the support of consumers.

・The project brings about local environmental and economic sustainability.

・ The project serves as an awareness campaign for Japanese consumers and encourages consumers to participate in fundraising through product purchases.

・ The project through its entire supply chain from producers to consumers, must show a good example of building a food supply chain with consideration for sustainability.

(Left) Award ceremony　/ (Right) Commemorative photo with all finalists

The official website of the Tokyo Sustainable Seafood Symposium 2019: https://sustainableseafoodnow.com/2019/en/