Fisherman Japan Blue Fund

Fisherman Japan Blue Fund is an impact investment fund established in 2023 by Fisherman Japan and Music Securities, a fintech company. The fund aims to promote a sustainable "blue economy" by investing in businesses and projects that contribute to the conservation of the marine environment while also seeking financial returns. The creation of the fund was driven by the increasing challenges facing Japan's fishing industry, including climate change, marine pollution, and a declining workforce.

The fund operates by combining impact investments from corporations and individuals with donations, creating a new financing model to support a wide range of marine-related enterprises. This includes not only direct fishing operations but also businesses involved in processing, distribution, and technology that can help solve issues within the broader fisheries ecosystem. For instance, the fund has invested in companies like Benners, which creates fish meal subscription services using "unused fish," and REMARE, a firm that recycles plastic waste from fishing gear into new materials. The investment scheme often involves a silent partnership agreement where investors receive a percentage of sales from the supported business rather than shares.

Fisherman Japan, the co-founder of the fund, is a general incorporated association established in 2014 in the wake of the Great East Japan Earthquake. It was formed by a group of young fishermen from the Sanriku region with the mission to make the fishing industry "cool, profitable, and innovative." The organization has been involved in various projects to tackle industry challenges, such as workforce development, promoting digital transformation (DX) in fisheries, and developing overseas export channels. The fund represents a strategic evolution of this mission, directly addressing the need for marine environment conservation as a foundational element for a sustainable fishing industry.

Keywords: impact investing, blue economy, sustainable fisheries, marine conservation, Japan, fisheries finance, social impact, environmental finance, fintech, ocean economy, sustainable aquaculture, marine plastic recycling, blue finance, Sanriku region, seafood value chain, circular economy, marine resources, sustainable investing, ESG, fisheries management