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Woman in Aquaculture: Kayoko Tsukiji
June 27, 2025
In Japan’s aquaculture industry, more women are now working in the aquaculture industry alongside ASC certified producers and suppliers – and they are raising their profile.
We caught up with Kayoko Tsukiji, Representative Director at Kyushu Tsukiji, a Japanese seafood supplier of Red Sea bream, salmon, and Japanese Amberjack. Learn more about Kayoko’s daily work, the challenges she faces, her engagement with the farmed seafood industry and the sense of fulfillment she derives from her work within the seafood sector.
- A Day in the Life
Kayoko’s day begins early, starting work at 4:30am. She first checks in at the processing plant and then reviews and responds to emails. On busy days, taking care of emails, coordinating with related departments, and preparing documents can take until 9 or 10am.
She then meets with her clients, professional experts and technicians, and her workday typically ends around 3 or 4pm. Once or twice a month, she also visits on-site aquaculture farms.
Despite the demanding early hours and schedule, Kayoko feels a strong sense of fulfillment through her work which allows her to support the aquaculture industry alongside various stakeholders.
- The Joy of Achieving ASC
Chain of Custody (CoC) certification verifies that seafood products are properly handled at every stage of the supply chain—from production to distribution and sales. This ensures that consumers can confidently choose seafood that has been certified as responsibly and sustainably produced. In other words, products bearing the certification label are guaranteed to have no mixing or mislabeling along the supply chain, providing a strong assurance for consumers.
“One of the most rewarding aspects of working with ASC certified seafood and sustainability initiatives is experiencing the results of the efforts made together with producers”
The journey toward obtaining ASC CoC certification involved gaining support from university professors, local bank executives, and hotel industry professionals.
Kayoko explained, “Obtaining ASC CoC certification required more than just experience and dedication as a seafood wholesaler. What I lacked were the latest insights and broad knowledge, which made the advice and perspectives of university professors and financial experts indispensable. Moreover, in connecting the journey from producers to consumers, the cooperation of chefs and professionals in the hotel industry—those who actually handle and serve seafood to customers—was also a key factor.”
“By involving them, we were able to deepen their understanding of why ASC certification is necessary and the challenges currently facing the seafood industry. Through collaboration with such a diverse range of experts and stakeholders, both the producers and I were able to raise our awareness and motivation toward achieving sustainability.”
The moment Kyushu Tsukiji finally achieved certification in 2024, after overcoming many challenges and with the support of so many people, was incredibly gratifying.
Kayoko also finds great fulfilment in supporting her trusted aquaculture producers such as Kinoshita Suisan Co.Ltd. in obtaining ASC certification. It is particularly rewarding when their responsibly farmed fish receive high recognition or when new business opportunities arise as a result of their certification.
Furthermore, she feels a strong sense of accomplishment when sustainability initiatives boost company morale, creating an environment where employees recognise that:
“By handling fish from responsible aquaculture producers, our company becomes a preferred choice.”
- Challenges and Solutions
One of the biggest challenges when trading with ASC certified seafood, according to Kayoko, is the low awareness of certification within Japan. For her, expanding market understanding, improving distribution, and shifting consumer awareness is crucial for stimulating demand for certified seafood.
Another challenge is the relatively low level of awareness among Japanese consumers about the environmental issues affecting their own seas. To address this, Kayoko partnering with environmentally conscious brands, such as eco-bag companies and organic food stores, to launch consumer participation campaigns.
Additionally, strengthening collaborations with schools and educational institutions is essential. Providing elementary school students with opportunities to learn about sustainable fishing and hosting food education certified seafood in university cafeterias can help future consumers understand the value of making sustainable choices.
A food education event using ASC certified fish is scheduled to be held in August 2025 at a university cafeteria, open to all students. Last year, ASC organised a discussion session with university students to exchange opinions on their awarenesss of seafood consumption.
The dedicated efforts of women like Kayoko play a vital role in spreading the value of ASC certification and protecting the future of our oceans and food supply.
- Looking Ahead
Kayoko’s work goes beyond business—it has the potential to reshape societal awareness. The advancement of sustainable aquaculture requires widespread understanding and cooperation.
We look forward to seeing more women in aquaculture continue to contribute to the industry’s growth and sustainability initiatives.
