Currently, approximately 20% of Mitsubishi Group's tuna purchases are certified to GSSI standards

Mitsubishi Leads Global Tuna Market Towards Sustainability with Stricter Sourcing Rules

JAPAN
Tuesday, July 15, 2025, 00:10 (GMT + 9)

As the world's largest raw tuna supplier, Japan's Mitsubishi Corporation has updated its procurement guidelines, significantly enhancing traceability and supply chain compliance. The move, announced on July 4th, sets an ambitious goal of achieving 30% GSSI-certified tuna by 2030, underscoring a proactive stance on sustainable fisheries and human rights.

TOKYO – In a significant move set to ripple through the global seafood industry, Japan's Mitsubishi Corporation, a colossal force as the world's largest supplier of raw tuna, announced on July 4th a sweeping update to its tuna procurement guidelines. This bold initiative aims to comprehensively strengthen traceability and supply chain compliance management, signaling a proactive commitment to sustainable fisheries and fundamental human rights.

The revised guidelines, building upon a foundational release in 2022, integrate global traceability standards and, for the first time, publicly disclose step-by-step progress on Mitsubishi's sustainability commitments. A core strategic objective is to achieve 30% GSSI (Global Seafood Sustainability Initiative) certification for its tuna purchases by 2030.

Photo: courtesy Mitsubishi Group

Enhancing Accountability Across the Supply Chain

Mitsubishi Group is implementing these rigorous purchasing specifications through its main tuna processor, Toyo Reizo, and continues to conduct thorough audits of both tuna and shrimp suppliers. Since 2017, the company has mandated that its partners regularly report on their measures to combat illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing, and strictly prohibit forced labor, slavery, and child labor.

The company's monitoring extends beyond immediate, first-tier suppliers, reaching into indirect supply chains to ensure comprehensive oversight. Since 2022, Mitsubishi has employed an independent third-party audit mechanism, conducting external compliance audits on longline vessels from key regions including Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, and China. Recognizing the limitations of external audits alone, Mitsubishi launched an internal audit mechanism in fiscal year 2024, completing 30 audits to date.

Yusuke Kishida, Head of the Strategy Department at Mitsubishi Marine Products Headquarters, affirmed that the scope of these audits will expand beyond longline vessels to include purse seine vessels and aquaculture companies. This expansion is designed to promote a broader "green transformation" across the entire supply chain. Mr. Kishida noted that initial audits have revealed no serious violations requiring suspension of cooperation, highlighting a positive and cooperative attitude from most ship owners and captains.

Driving Towards GSSI Certification and Fair Practices

Currently, approximately 20% of Mitsubishi Group's tuna purchases are certified to GSSI standards. The ambitious 30% target by 2030 reflects a significant push towards greater sustainability. Kishida acknowledged that achieving this expansion hinges not only on stringent fishing regulations but also on ensuring fair prices for producers and cultivating increased consumer awareness and demand for sustainably sourced seafood.

The new guidelines explicitly mandate that data will be collected in accordance with the Global Dialogue on Seafood Traceability (GDST) standards, establishing a supply chain that meets robust global benchmarks for transparency. Mitsubishi has pledged to continually review and optimize these guidelines, committing to regular public updates on their progress.

Beyond tuna, Mitsubishi has also issued a broader procurement policy encompassing all categories of seafood. This overarching policy prioritizes crucial aspects such as protecting the marine environment, safeguarding workers' rights, intensifying the fight against IUU fishing, and fostering enhanced dialogue with stakeholders.

To further bolster transparency and accountability in the tuna sector, Mitsubishi has established an external complaint mechanism. This allows any stakeholder to report potential violations, reinforcing the company's commitment to transparent, fair, and sustainable operations throughout its fisheries supply chain.

"Our goal is to create a sustainable marine industry system and achieve a win-win situation for all parties, including fishermen, companies, and consumers," concluded Yusuke Kishida, emphasizing the collaborative vision behind Mitsubishi's intensified sustainability drive.

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