New JAS Requirements for Seafood Imports
By Sally Subhapholsiri
Tokyo, Japan

To assure the Japanese consumer of the safety and quality of seafood from overseas, the Japanese Agricultural Standards (JAS) will require a "Clean Fish" mark on all shipments of seafood to Japan by the first half of the year 2001, according to Masao Shimomura, Executive Managing Director, Japan Marine Products Importers Association. Speaking in a July 14th technical session which ran concurrent to the 2nd Japan International Seafood and Technology Expo 2000, Mr. Shimomura explained that the association he heads has obtained authorization to act as the center for registering applicants for the mark. Approval will be granted only to those who comply with the JAS revised standards. Only exports from companies on the approved suppliers list will be allowed entry into Japan. The Japan Marine Products Importers Association will liaise with embassies and the Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO) offices all over the world regarding applications and evaluations for the "Clean Fish" mark.

JAS expects to complete the revisions by December, 2000, said Mr. Shimomura. Inspection at the port of entry for compliance is scheduled to start in April, 2001 for frozen seafood and June, 2001 for other processed seafood, including canned products. Important changes are anticipated in four main areas. JAS will most likely require harmonized terminology for the name and species of seafood; written proof from the original country of origin; an explanation of the cultivation method (natural or aquaculture); and clarification of whether frozen raw material was thawed for use.

According to Mr. Shimomura, there are two current trends that prompted the JAS changes. The first one is the globalization of the seafood trade. It is common nowadays for the fishing country to be different from the exporting country, he said , and gave examples of Russian crab going to China for processing or fish from Norway sent to Thailand for filleting and freezing. "Since the Japanese consumer has set expectations of uniform quality, he will be disappointed if he is not made aware of potential variations in the product, " explained Mr. Shimomura.

The second trend that catalyzed an industry standards re-think is e-commerce. "With e-commerce the paper trail for imports will be reduced (which is fine, but) because of which information may be passed on incorrectly or incompletely" . Having a system of pre-approval and a register of "responsible" companies identified by a "Clean Fish" mark will ensure that the end-user gets accurate information from the origin, he said. .