The 110th Fisheries Employment Support Fair 2026: A Historic Gathering of Fishers Across Regions

This February will see a significant milestone in Japan's fishing industry with the Fisheries Employment Support Fair 2026, taking place in both Osaka and Tokyo. Sponsored by the Japan Fisheries Agency and organized by the Japan Fisheries Employment Development Center (Ryoushi.jp), this event will mark its 110th edition since its inception in 2002. In an effort to strengthen the network among fishery workers, an inaugural Fisheries Workforce Strategy Network Meeting will also be held a day before the fair to encourage collaboration across various regions.

Breaking Barriers: Network Meeting

The primary goal of the network meeting is to address the widespread issue of labor shortages in the fishing industry, emphasizing not just localized efforts but also fostering cooperation among fishers across Japan. Participants from various fishing sectors, alongside representatives from the Japan Fisheries Agency and local government officials, will engage in discussions about the challenges they face and their ideas for recruiting new fishermen. This event aims to create an organizational structure that allows for smoother integration of newcomers into the industry while also building a horizontal network of cooperation between fishers who previously had few opportunities for interaction.

Meeting Highlights

Participants will present cases and engage in discussions. For instance:

- Osaka Venue Presentations featuring Kyoko Suisan from Shimane Prefecture (purse seine fishing) and Washi Kita Fishing Division from Toyama Prefecture (fixed net fishing) will share their experiences in taking on new, inexperienced workers over many years.
- Tokyo Venue Presentations might include Tateura Fishing Cooperative from Nagasaki Prefecture (fixed net fishing) and Oita Fisheries Cooperative Saga Sekimachi Branch from Oita Prefecture (line fishing), along with Kinjyo Suisan from Ishikawa Prefecture (fixed net fishing). These examples showcase young fishers who emerged from the fair and are currently thriving, particularly those from the famous Sagasaki region known for its line fishing of sardines and mackerel amid an aging fishing community.

Event Schedule

- Osaka: February 6, 2026 (Friday) from 15:30 to 17:30 at AP Osaka Yodoyabashi
- Tokyo: February 10, 2026 (Tuesday) from 15:30 to 17:30 at Vision Center Grande, Hamamatsucho

Following the network meeting, there will be a fee-based social gathering starting at 18:00 for industry professionals to deepen connections and share ambitions for the fair.

Winter Fisheries Employment Support Fair 2026 Overview

The Fisheries Employment Support Fair 2026 serves as Japan’s only nationwide fishing job consultation meeting, bringing together roughly 60 organizations from various regions—from Hokkaido in the north to Okinawa in the south—offering diverse fishing employment opportunities such as purse seine, set net, and line fishing. This fair not only connects aspiring fishers with fisheries directly but also includes a beginner-friendly consultation booth and a resource corner where attendees can gather relevant information to envision their life as a fisher.

Special emphasis will be placed on supporting the integration of women into the fishing industry, as organizations promoting this initiative will display the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare’s “Positive Action” sticker to encourage inquiries.

Participants can attend freely, with no pre-registration required, and will be eligible for a limited number of “Gifts from Fishers.”

- Osaka Venue: February 7, 2026 (Saturday) from 12:30 to 16:00 at OMM Building, 2nd floor A Hall.
- Tokyo Venue: February 11, 2026 (Wednesday) from 12:30 to 16:00 at Tokyo Metropolitan Industrial Trade Center, Taito Hall, 5th floor.

Recently, there has been a notable increase in youth attending the event, drawn by the pursuit of jobs that cannot be replaced by AI.

Celebrating 110 Events of Cooperation and Passion

Since its first inception in Fukuoka in 2002 under the slogan “Transforming Urban Youth into Fishers,” the fair has been a lifeline for securing new entrants into the fishing industry. It has evolved into an essential event attended by a broad demographic ranging from junior high schoolers to college students and career changers, resulting in numerous successful matches and job placements for aspiring fishers across the nation.

With this year’s pre-conference network meeting, stakeholders will share insights and strategies, thus reinforcing a nationwide framework welcoming young people aspiring to pursue careers in fishing.

Organized by the Japan Fisheries Employment Development Center (Ryoushi.jp) and sponsored by the Japan Fisheries Agency.