Matsuura: Matsuura city, located in the northern part of Nagasaki prefecture, is expected to export the popular Japanese fried horse mackerel or aji fish to Malaysia soon.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Japan External Trade Organisation (Jetro) Nagasaki chief director Jun Takahashi stated that there is now keen interest from a leading retailer in Malaysia for the product. Takahashi highlighted that one of the key features of Matsuura’s aji fry product is its freshness, preserved through a ‘one-frozen’ process. The fish is processed immediately after being landed and is frozen only once before reaching consumers.

Takahashi mentioned that the product is expected to be exported by sea using refrigerated containers to maintain its freshness. He also noted that frozen aji fry from Matsuura city has been previously exported to the United States and Mongolia. The US tariff on Japanese processed aji fry has not impacted demand due to its minimal nature and US consumers’ preference for its premium and aesthetic values.

Matsuura city’s culture and tourism division chief, Takahiro Tashiro, stated that Matsuura city supplies half of Japan’s aji fish and saba in terms of volume. He described aji fish as rich in nutrients beneficial for hair, skin, and anti-ageing properties. In Matsuura city, there are approximately 35 restaurants offering the aji fry dish, surpassing the number of convenience stores.

Tashiro highlighted Kiraku restaurant as one of the best in the area, where the owner catches the fish every morning to ensure freshness. The aji fish can be enjoyed in various ways, either fried or raw like sashimi, a favorite Japanese cuisine. Matsuura city, located about a one-and-a-half-hour drive from Fukuoka city, attracts many visitors, both Japanese and international, particularly for the aji fry dish.