Business · Trade · 5 hrs ago
Niigata seeks to restart Japanese koi exports to Brazil
Japanese groups are looking to reopen Brazil to koi exports after shipments from Japan stopped for a long period.
The effort involves Niigata Prefecture and Brazil, where many people of Japanese descent live.
Koi appreciation has a long history in Brazil, and an export-promotion event in São Paulo in late August showcased the fish alongside Japanese rice and sake.
The effort aims to reach wealthy koi enthusiasts and build demand for Japanese fish.
The fish are prized for their distinctive patterns and are often called “living jewels.”
Niigata is seeking a path to restart exports, but no timeline or outcome is given.
Niigata Prefecture and others are seeking a path to resume exports of Japanese koi to Brazil.
Japanese koi imports to Brazil have been halted for a long time, despite a longstanding culture of keeping ornamental fish there.
The effort aims to reach demand among koi enthusiasts, especially wealthy customers.
Koi drew particular attention at a Niigata export-promotion event in central São Paulo in late August.
- Who
- Niigata Prefecture and others are exploring ways to resume exports of Japanese koi to Brazil.
- What
- They are seeking to reopen the market to Japanese koi exports.
- When
- A Niigata export-promotion event took place in late August. The article was published on November 15, 2026.
- Where
- Brazil, including an event in central São Paulo.
- Why
- To develop the market and attract demand from koi enthusiasts, especially wealthy customers.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Brazil developed a culture of keeping ornamental koi, while imports from Japan later ceased for a long period.
Koi drew attention at Niigata Prefecture’s export-promotion event in central São Paulo.
Nikkei reported that Niigata Prefecture and others were exploring how to resume exports.
- Export destination
- Brazil
- Japanese koi imports
- Halted for a long time
- Export-promotion event
- Central São Paulo, late August
- Target customers
- Koi enthusiasts, especially wealthy customers