Our history is a timeline of solutions

At first glance, becoming a solutions company may seem like a major change. But in reality, our history has always been a continuum of providing solutions in response to challenges of each era.
During the War, the Japanese military requisitioned our vessels for transport. After the War ended, Japan faced a severe food shortage, and people needed food simply to survive. Within a week, we decided to rebuild our fleet and swiftly launched our first post-war fishing boat.

Three decades later in the 1970s, our business was shaken to the core by the widespread adoption of the 200-nautical-mile sovereign fishing limits*. Previously free to fish anywhere in the ocean, vessels suddenly faced restricted access to many of their traditional fishing grounds. The law significantly reduced the range of our high-seas fishing operations. Our solution was to shift our business toward importing seafood from other countries and expanding our frozen food and food processing operations.

*Based on the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, coastal states worldwide sought to establish over exclusive economic zones (EEZs) with sovereign fishery and resource rights in waters up to 200 nautical miles (about 370 km) from their shores. Japanese fisheries, which had relied heavily on high-seas fisheries, were severely impacted by the loss of access to many of their established fishing grounds.

We have navigated the ebb and flow of challenges in every era by continually adapting. Today, we once again face global issues of unprecedented scale and complexity, from climate change and resource risks to the growing health awareness among consumers.

That is why we must transform our company. This transformation is not a departure from our past but a continuation, reconnecting with our legacy of finding solutions and applying that spirit to the global challenges of today and tomorrow. This evolution is vital to our future survival.

Approaching challenges as opportunities, and setting the table for the future

Two major issues stand before us. One is the depletion of natural resources caused by climate change and marine pollution. The other is the rise in healthy life expectancy in a super-aged society. At first glance, these appear to be business risks. I see them instead as opportunities, because we already have the means to address them.

Natural resources are limited, but we are pioneering sustainable ways to provide protein. We have begun full-scale aquaculture of sugi, a new species of cobia that thrives in the higher water temperatures expected with global warming. We have also completed successful trials of large-scale farming of Pacific saury, whose catch volumes have declined sharply in recent years. Looking ahead, we are advancing cell culture research with start-ups to develop cultivated seafood that can withstand changes in the marine environment. This cutting-edge technology grows cells into adult fish for consumption, offering the potential to create an entirely new, sustainable source of protein independent of ocean resources.

At the same time, human life expectancy is increasing, and living to 100 is no longer unusual. As people focus more on extending their healthy years, we are providing dietary solutions that help prevent disease before it occurs. One example is Risara Sausage Omega, Japan’s first product approved as containing ingredients that may reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease. As society continues to age, demand for home healthcare is also growing. We are developing health-focused foods tailored to different life stages, including nutritious and tasty mousse products designed for people who have difficulty swallowing.

Above all, protecting the richness of the ocean, the source of all life and our business foundation, is our absolute responsibility. Without its blessings, our business would not exist, and humanity itself would be at risk. We demonstrate this responsibility through concrete action.

Since 2014, we have participated in projects to restore shoreline eelgrass beds, vital habitats for countless marine species. Over the past decade, many employees have waded into the waters to sow eelgrass seeds and nurture these ecosystems. We are also working with other industry players to combat marine plastic pollution, and I personally participate in annual coastal cleanup activities.

We also take part in global efforts to protect the world’s oceans. Maruha Nichiro helped establish the Seafood Business for Ocean Stewardship (SeaBOS) initiative, which brings together major seafood companies and scientists worldwide to drive sustainable ocean practices. Our former president, Shigeru Ito, served as the initiative’s first chairman. SeaBOS is spearheading an industry-wide shift aimed at eliminating illegal fishing and forced labor. As a company that relies on the ocean’s bounty, we protect it not only as a social responsibility but because it is vital for our long-term business sustainability.

Change begins with “I”. Small wins build the future.

The strategy since Maruha and Nichiro joined forces has been to grow our business by building on each other’s strongpoints. That approach has produced solid results. However, it has also created vertical divisions within the organization and limited talent mobility.

Umios requires a culture that goes beyond simply adding those strengths together. We need a culture that creates new value by multiplying the strengths of our people, knowledge, and assets. To do that, a spirit of co-creation will be essential.

I would like employees to reflect on parts of our business and work we may have been taking for granted. Build horizontal connections across the company and make full use of our company assets. Share small successes and positive experiences beyond your own team. Incremental communication builds trust, lays the foundation for co-creation, and drives company growth.

Relocating our headquarters to Takanawa Gateway City provides an opportunity to accelerate innovation by actively integrating insights from start-ups, universities, and other external partners.By breaking down barriers and creating new connections, we can directly apply our diverse capabilities to solve the challenges faced by clients and society.

The agent of change is always the individual. I want every employee to understand that it is you who drives transformation. You hold the compass for the grand voyage we are embarking on. The world is watching to see how Umios will harness the power of the ocean to deliver solutions. Let us now set sail toward the future.