Header image for Norway–Japan Business Summit 2–3 June 2026

Seafood programme

Tuesday, 2 June 2026

18:00–20:00 (Doors open 17:20)
Japan–Norway Official Reception – Featuring Norwegian Seafood (By invitation only)

Wednesday, 3 June 2026

10:30–18:30 Japan – Norway Business Summit

Location: The Okura, Tokyo, Japan
Organisers: Norwegian Seafood Council, Norwegian Embassy and Innovation Norway
Programme leads: Johan Kvalheim, email, Anette Yamamoto Hansen, email

The session aims to strengthen bilateral cooperation by highlighting shared priorities such as sustainability, technology adoption, and stable long-term market development. Participants will gain insights into emerging opportunities, the policy landscape, and the role of seafood as an economic and cultural bridge between Japan and Norway.

Programme

11:30-13:30 Norway Mackerel appreciation lunch (by invitation only)

The Norwegian Mackerel Appreciation Lunch gathers Japan’s key processors and distributors of Norwegian mackerel to recognize their long‑term commitment and contribution to the industry. The lunch highlights the strong partnership between Japan and Norway, featuring brief updates from the Norwegian Seafood Council on market conditions, quota developments, and shared industry challenges.

Program details: The Mackerel Appreciation Lunch brings together key Japanese processors and distributors to acknowledge their contributions to promoting Norwegian mackerel. It includes brief market updates and a short recognition segment for selected companies, reinforcing the strong partnership between Japan and Norway in a year marked by tightening global mackerel quotas.

10:30–13:30 Aquaculture Innovation Session: Norwegian Technology and Production Insights

Norway has developed one of the world’s most advanced aquaculture industries through continuous innovation across the entire value chain — from genetics and feed to fish health, technology, and large scale production.

This session introduces the Norwegian model for aquaculture development, illustrating how collaboration between industry, research, and authorities has enabled scalable and sustainable growth.

Participants will gain insights into how Norwegian solutions are applied in practice, with a particular focus on their relevance in a Japanese context. The program concludes with a Japanese case study, demonstrating how Norwegian aquaculture technology is being implemented in Japan today.

10:30 - 10:45	OPENING REMARKS
10:30 - 10:35	Welcome
10:35 - 10:45	Opening Remarks: UOYA Toshinori, Director-General, Resources Enhancement Promotion Department, Fisheries Agency of Japan
	BIOLOGICAL FOUNDATIONS OF MODERN AQUACULTURE
10:45 - 11:00	Genetics & Breeding: Christen Mordal, Global Business Developer, AquaGen AS Selective breeding and long-term industry development Disease resistance and biological performance
11:00 - 11:15	Feed & Nutrition: Endre Molland, Innovation Portfolio Manager, Skretting Aquaculture Innovation Feed innovation and sustainability Impact on efficiency and production outcomes
11:15 - 11:30	Fish health & Risk Management: Nils Steine, Business Unit Director, PHARMAQ Preventive health strategies Monitoring, data, and risk management
11:30 - 11:40	COFFEE BREAK
	DEVELOPING MODERN AQUACULTURE SYSTEMS - INDUSTRY PERSPECTIVES
11:40 - 11:55	Industrial-Scale Aquaculture Systems: Ståle Økland, Chief Commercial Officer, AKVA Group ASA Evolution of aquaculture systems and infrastructure Lessons learned from global deployment across different regulatory and environmental conditions
11:55 - 12:10	Robust Cage and Mooring Solutions: Trond Karlsen, Senior Sales Manager, Scale Aquaculture (ScaleAQ) Cage and net system design for exposed and high-energy locations Mooring, structural integrity, and operational safety
12:10 - 12:25	Case Study: Implementing Norwegian Technology in Japan: Kosuke Suzuki, CEO, Japan Salmon Farm Co., Ltd. Rationale for adopting Norwegian aquaculture solutions Implementation experience in Japan Key learnings and implications for future development
12:25 - 12:30	Closing Remarks - Summary of key takeaways and transition to subsequent program elements
12:30 - 12:45	Transition & Informal Exchange - Opportunity for informal exchange prior to the next session
12:45 - 13:30	SESSION 2: Norwegian Seafood Production - Industry Perspectives
	This session provides an overview of current developments in Norwegian aquaculture production, highlighting key species and industry perspectives across the seafood value chain. Building on the preceding session on technology and systems, this segment offers insights into how Norwegian aquaculture is translated into large-scale production, market supply, and product diversification.
12:45 - 12:55	Snow Cod from Norway - Unlocking New Opportunities: Anders Tofte Wilhelmsen, Commercial Director, Ode AS Development of farmed cod production Market potential and differentiation
12:55 - 13:10	Norwegian Salmon & Fjord Trout – Production Update: Koki Yotsui, Representative Director, Lerøy Japan K.K. Current production trends and outlook Positioning of fjord trout in global markets Production characteristics and opportunities
13:10 - 13:20	Norwegian Aquaculture Production – Status Update: Line Ellingsen, Chair of the Board, Norwegian Seafood Federation - Overview of production volumes, industry structure, and recent developments in Norway
13:20 - 13:30	Q&A and Discussion - Moderated discussion with speakers
13:30	Closing

14:00-17:00 Norway-Japan Seafood Seminar
Simultaneous interpretation: Available Japanese < > English

The annual and traditional Norway – Japan Seafood Seminar brings together leading voices from both countries to explore how global trends are reshaping seafood trade, consumption and innovation. The session aims to strengthen bilateral cooperation by highlighting shared priorities such as sustainability, technology adoption, and stable long‑term market development. Participants will gain insights into emerging opportunities, the policy landscape and the role of seafood as an economic and cultural bridge between Japan and Norway.

Programme details TBA

Format: Keynotes, panel discussions and moderated exchanges featuring senior representatives from government, industry and research.

17:30-20:30 Norway Seafood Networking Reception

The Norway Seafood Networking Reception is an open, informal gathering for maritime and seafood delegates to connect at the close of the seminar day. The reception provides a relaxed setting for strengthening professional relationships, meeting new counterparts and engaging in cross‑sector conversations that support deeper cooperation between Japan and Norway. With a standing buffet and open flow between guests, the event encourages dialogue, exchange of insights and continued collaboration across the seafood and maritime industries.

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