Tokyo: Japanese fishery company Yamada Suisan Co. announced plans to initiate the world's first trial sales of "kabayaki" grilled eels derived entirely from aquaculture, starting May 29. The two-eel kabayaki product will be available in limited quantities, priced at 9,720 yen, through the company's official online shop, Aeon Co.'s online shopping platform, and the Mitsukoshi Nihonbashi department store located in Tokyo's Chuo Ward.

According to Philippines News Agency, since fiscal 2022, Yamada Suisan, headquartered in Saiki, Oita Prefecture, has been working on the mass production of young glass eels. This endeavor is based on technology developed by the state-affiliated Japan Fisheries Research and Education Agency. Initially, the company faced challenges in applying the technology due to high costs. However, they have successfully reduced these costs and are on track to produce over 10,000 glass eels per year by 2024.

Complete aquaculture involves nurturing artificially obtained eggs into adult fish and subsequently collecting eggs from these matured eels. Yamada Suisan aims to fast-track the development of mass production technology to facilitate the full-scale commercialization of farmed eels, marking a significant advancement in the sustainable production of this Japanese delicacy.