a History of Value Creation

Pioneering industrial fisheries through trawl fishing innovation

Nissui's history began in 1911 when Ichiro Tamura established the Tamura Steamship Fishery Division and, together with Kosuke Kunishi, started trawl fishing operations based in Shimonoseki Port.

In 1919, the company became Kyodo Gyogyo Co., Ltd., expanding its business by developing and introducing new trawling technologies. In 1930, the company relocated its base to Tobata Port, where it established various functions essential to trawling, including ice making, cold storage, processing and sales, building a comprehensive supply chain for marine products.

1911

Launched trawl fishing operations

1920

Established the Hayatomo Fishery Research Institute, pioneering private sector fisheries research in Japan

1921

Installed the first wireless telegraph system on a private fishing vessel in Japan

1927

Implemented diesel engine technology

1930

Hayatomo Fishery Research Institute developed and implemented rapid freezing equipment for vessels

Achieving complete utilization and effective use of marine products

Our commitment to innovation led us beyond traditional fish sales into value creation.

We saw an opportunity to transform fish species that were difficult to sell fresh into new products, revolutionizing chikuwa(fish cake) production from a cottage industry into a modern enterprise. This vision led to the establishment of Nippon Chikuwa Seizosho in 1921, marking our full-scale entry into fish cake manufacturing.

Innovation continued as we developed fish meal production using the non-edible portions from fish cake processing. This breakthrough achieved our goal of complete resource utilization, enabling us to offer a diverse range of processed marine products.

1921

Established Nippon Chikuwa Seizosho

1922

Introduced American-made Meakin fish meal manufacturing machine and began fish meal production

Launched development and distribution of processed foods

The 1950s marked our expansion beyond fishing operations into land-based businesses, with full-scale entry into processed foods including fish sausages and frozen foods.

Our frozen foods journey began in 1959 with the launch of our first product - chawanmushi (savory egg custard). The 1960s saw the introduction of beloved products like "Chibikko Korokke" (mini croquettes), "Kani Creamy Korokke" (creamy crab croquettes), "White Fish", "Kani Shumai" (crab dumplings), and "Ika Tempura" (squid tempura).

In the late 1980s, as the household frozen foods market began to grow, we led the industry with groundbreaking products: frozen noodles with soup ("Champon") and frozen rice ("Yaki Onigiri"). These innovations created new consumer demand and contributed to market expansion. In the 2000s, we continued to innovate with products that could thaw naturally at room temperature, responding to changing lifestyles and household structures with convenient, delicious frozen foods. This drive for innovation fueled the continued expansion of our processed foods business.

1946

Resumed production of "Yaki-Chikuwa" after World War II

1952

Launched full-scale sales of "Tuna Sausage" (fish sausages)

1959

Began production of first household frozen food product, "chawanmushi"

1968

Launched nationwide sales of "Yaki-Chikuwa"

1987

Began sales of household frozen food "Cook For Me Champon"

1989

Began sales of household frozen food "Cook For Me Yaki Onigiri"

1999

Launched "Obento ni Benri" ("convenient for boxed meals") series of naturally-thawing frozen foods

2002

Released fish sausages and fish cake without egg white

Pioneering Frozen Surimi Technology and Creating New Products

Nissui developed frozen surimi as a way to fully utilize abundant Alaska pollock resources - a first in the industry.

Working with the Hokkaido Fisheries Research Institute, we succeeded in developing frozen surimi production technology in 1960. In 1964, we installed processing equipment aboard our trawlers for immediate at-sea processing. Full-scale production began in 1967, followed by the launch of specialized trawlers with advanced equipment for mass production.

The frozen surimi became essential for our fish sausages and "Yaki-Chikuwa", which could be enjoyed uncooked and was sold nationwide. Through at-sea frozen surimi production and new product development, we transformed Alaska pollock from an underutilized resource into a source of new value.

1959

Began joint research on Alaska pollock surimi with Hokkaido Fisheries Research Institute

1960

Developed quality-preserving frozen surimi technology

1960

Initiated research on at-sea frozen surimi production

1967

Began full-scale at-sea frozen surimi production on the Gyokuei Maru

1967

Started using Alaska pollock frozen surimi in fish sausages

1968

Launched nationwide sales of ready-to-eat "Yaki-Chikuwa"

Strengthening Access to Resources

In the post-World War II era, as coastal nations began asserting sovereignty over their waters, Japan's deep-sea fishing grounds gradually diminished. The establishment of 200-nautical-mile zones by the United States and Soviet Union in 1977 significantly impacted Nissui's fishing operations.

Anticipating these changes, Nissui strengthened its marine product procurement capabilities as an alternative to fishing operations, expanding purchasing both domestically and internationally while establishing overseas operational bases for procurement and fishing. Some of these overseas bases continue to play crucial roles today in securing access to global marine resources.

1965

Initiated marine products procurement in North America

1974

Established Nippon Suisan U.S.A., Inc. in Seattle, Washington

1975

Established processing facility in Dutch Harbor, Alaska (now UniSea, Inc.)

1978

Founded EMDEPES as a joint fishing venture in Chile

1985

Established Greatland Seafoods in Alaska for Alaska pollock surimi production

1988

Established Salmones Antártica S.A. as a salmon farming company in Chile

1988

Established Nissui Europe B.V. in Amsterdam

1990

Established Nissui América Latina S.A. (N.A.L.) in Chile

1990

Completed UniSea's Plant No. 2 (surimi plant) and began production

Pioneering High-Purity EPA: From Research to Pharmaceutical Applications

Nissui began researching eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) in 1978, conducting epidemiological studies with Chiba University in 1980 to understand its health benefits. In 1981, we launched joint development efforts with pharmaceutical companies. Our breakthrough came when EPA was approved in Japan for treating arteriosclerosis obliterans in 1990 and hyperlipidemia in 1994. As the first company worldwide to develop advanced purification technology for high purity EPA, we achieved mass production capabilities and established our role as a supplier of pharmaceutical raw materials. The potential of EPA continues to expand, as demonstrated by its 2019 U.S. approval for treating cardiovascular diseases.

1978

Initiated EPA research

1980

Started joint research with Chiba University and succeeded in high purity EPA development

1981

Began joint pharmaceutical development research

1990

Received approval for arteriosclerosis obliterans treatment

1994

Received approval for hyperlipidemia treatment

Breaking New Ground in Aquaculture

In the late 1980s, we identified aquaculture as a key alternative to traditional fishing for securing marine resources.

We began salmon aquaculture at Salmones Antártica S.A. in Chile in 1988, eventually developing an integrated operation encompassing selective breeding, spawning, cultivation, processing, and feed production. In 1993, we established the Oita Marine Biological Technology Center specializing in aquaculture research and development, which now supports the Group's domestic aquaculture companies.

Kurose Suisan, established in 2004 to farm Kurose Buri (Japanese amberjack), achieved a milestone in 2022 when all shipped products came from artificial seeds - a first in Japan for full-life cycle aquaculture. This artificial seeding reduces impact on natural resources. At Seinan Suisan and Kaneko Sangyo, which joined the Nissui Group in 2006 and 2012 respectively, we conduct pacific bluefin tuna farming, recently focusing on short-cycle cultivation that grows approximately 100kg tuna in about six months.

Our commitment to aquaculture innovation continues, as demonstrated by our 2023 launch of land-based whiteleg shrimp farming operations.

1988

Established Salmones Antártica S.A.

1993

Established the Oita Marine Biological Technology Center for aquaculture R&D

2017

First worldwide to obtain ASC certification for Japanese amberjack

2022

Farmed Kurose buri (Japanese amberjack) achieves a 100% rate of artificial seeds in production volume

2023

Launched land-based whiteleg shrimp aquaculture operations

Creating High Value-added Products Through Global Marine Products Supply Chains

From the 2000s onward, as we transitioned to Group-based management, we built global supply chains for marine products, expanding our reach to markets worldwide.

Companies that shared our mission joined forces, each leveraging their unique strengths. This collaboration formed Global Links - connecting global marine resources with dinner tables worldwide - and Local Links - uniting diverse functions within each region.

Within the Nissui Group's supply chain - from resources to consumers - each company contributes its unique strengths. Through this global collaboration, we create and deliver high value-added products.

2001

Invested in New Zealand's Sealord Group

2001

Acquired Gorton's, Inc. producer of household frozen marine foods in North America

2005

Acquired King & Prince Seafood Corporation, manufacturer of food service frozen marine foods in the U.S.

2007

Entered European processed foods business by acquiring Cité Marine S.A.S., producer of fried marine products and chilled foods in France

2023

Established the "Nissui Global Links" symbol