As Japan and Thailand approach 140 years of diplomatic ties, a new project aims to farm tilapia fish in Japan, building on an imperial gift from 1965.
Persimmon-leaf sushi made with tilapia unveiled at an event in Osaka. (©Japan Forward/Mika Sugiura)
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About 60 years ago, Crown Prince Akihito (now Emperor Emeritus) gave tilapia to Thailand's King Bhumibol Adulyadej (Rama IX). The fish became a staple of Thai cuisine under the name pla nin.
In October 2026, a project to reintroduce the fish to Japan and expand its production using Japanese technology was unveiled in Osaka.
With the 140th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Japan and Thailand approaching next year, ties between the two countries look set to deepen further.
On October 1, an event was held in Osaka, drawing representatives from 72 Japanese companies with ties to Thailand, while another 16 Japanese companies participated online. Three Thai companies attended in person, and 11 others joined online. Staff from the Tokushima Prefecture Asia Desk in Bangkok also participated remotely.
Toru Sasaki, chairman of Strong Japan, which organized the project under the title "Future Co-Creation EXPO vol. 6," said at the event:
"The roughly 60-year history of tilapia, a fish that the Emperor Emeritus presented to the Thai royal family and that could be said to have saved the Thai people, is one I now want to carry on here in Japan."
From Imperial Gift to Thai Staple
The connection between tilapia and Japan dates back to 1964. During a visit to Chiang Mai, the then-Crown Prince Akihito toured fisheries research facilities, where staff consulted him about a problem: the tilapia being raised there were not growing large enough.
The following year, in 1965, he reportedly presented King Bhumibol with about 50 young tilapia raised at the Imperial Palace.
According to the website of the Embassy of Japan in Thailand, the Emperor Emeritus gave the fish to the Thai people to help supplement the protein in their diets.
According to Thailand's Department of Fisheries and other sources, King Bhumibol raised and bred the fish at Chitralada Royal Villa before distributing them to the Thai people. Fish farming subsequently spread throughout the country, and tilapia became an affordable, tasty source of food that helped sustain the Thai diet.
Amorn Luengnaruemitchai, president of the Tilapia Association Thailand and head of the aquaculture company Manit Group, spoke remotely from Thailand.
"Pla nin is affordable and easy to raise. It has provided a source of protein for the Thai people while supporting the livelihoods of those involved in fish farming."
He added, "The fish raised in the royal palace went on to become part of family meals and a source of employment for many people. Against this historical backdrop, this project represents an effort by private-sector companies in both countries to collaborate in aquaculture and cuisine."
According to Luengnaruemitchai, more than 300,000 households in Thailand raise tilapia, and the country ranks seventh in the world in production. He explained that the fish is exported to 60 countries, mainly in Asia, and contributes to global food security.
The Story Behind the Name Pla Nin
There are several theories about the origin of the name pla nin. One suggests that pla means "fish" in Thai and nin means "dark brown," referring to the fish's distinctive dark horizontal stripes.
Another theory traces the name to the pronunciation of "Nile," as in Nile tilapia. A third suggests that nin was derived from the character 仁 in Akihito's name, giving the fish the meaning "Akihito's fish."
Tilapia is a tropical freshwater fish. In postwar Japan, it was imported from Africa and elsewhere and farmed to help alleviate food shortages.
It was once sold in Japanese markets under the name Izumidai, but it is now rarely available. In warmer regions such as Okinawa and Kumamoto, tilapia has become established in the wild and is now the subject of eradication efforts.
A New Farm in Kochi Prefecture
The project unveiled at the event aims to establish a closed-system, land-based aquaculture facility in Niyodogawa Town, Kochi Prefecture, by spring 2027. The town is home to the Niyodo River, renowned for its exceptional water clarity.
The plan is to raise tilapia using water from the Niyodo River and Japanese water-purification technology while developing dishes suited to Japanese tastes. The fish will be marketed under the brand name "JINSUI" (仁水), inspired by the character 仁 in Prince Akihito's name.
The organizers also plan to establish a provisional organization, the Tilapia Association Japan, in February 2027. Its aim is to bring Japanese and Thai food cultures together through tilapia.
Sasaki explained that the plans remain at the conceptual stage, but he also hopes to build a memorial museum showcasing the history of exchanges between Japan and Thailand, along with accommodation facilities. He said these developments could help revitalize the local community of Niyodogawa Town.
A New Take on Persimmon-Leaf Sushi
The event also featured a tasting of a new dish inspired by kakinoha-zushi, a traditional specialty of Nara Prefecture, adapted to use tilapia imported from Thailand.
Chiori Shiozaki, a culinary researcher who helped develop the dishes, explained, "Because tilapia is a freshwater fish, it tends to have a distinctive smell. We addressed this by using Japanese pepper."
Two varieties of persimmon-leaf sushi were served. The first featured rice mixed with shredded tilapia and seasoned with a soy sauce-based mixture and Japanese pepper, then wrapped in persimmon leaves. The second used fish cured in vinegar, with Japanese pepper placed between the fish and the rice.
I tried the adapted persimmon-leaf sushi. Had I not been told it was tilapia, I would not have recognized the fish. The texture was also excellent.
Yosita Harsup, business and marketing manager at Manit Group, who traveled to Japan for the event, said, "It was a flavor I had never experienced before, but it was very delicious. I was able to discover a new kind of Japanese cuisine."
According to Harsup, tilapia in Thailand is commonly grilled whole with herbs or deep-fried and served with a sweet-and-spicy sauce. It is often enjoyed at gatherings and parties with family and friends.
A clear broth made with tilapia was also served at the venue. The fish had a moderate fat content and a refined, delicate flavor.
Tilapia's Potential in Japan
Ryota Shiomi, president of Two Eight, a company based in Hyogo Prefecture that makes prepared foods for care facilities, expressed optimism about tilapia's potential.
"We process mackerel and salmon and deliver them to care facilities, but catches are declining and prices are rising. We don't know how much longer we'll be able to keep supplying them. If affordable, tasty tilapia becomes available in Japan, it could also help support the country's food supply."
Shiomi said his company served Japanese dishes made with tilapia at Japan Expo Thailand 2026 in Bangkok in February and at a March event marking the 60th anniversary of the Emperor Emeritus's gift of pla nin. The dishes included saikyo-yaki, fish marinated in miso before grilling. They reportedly received positive feedback from Thai participants.
Japanese Technology for Water Purification
The event also showcased a water-purification system developed by ZERO, based in Yabu, Hyogo Prefecture. The system is scheduled to be installed at the planned tilapia farm along the Niyodo River.
The technology was tested this year using wastewater from a factory operated by TSM, a major Thai sugar group, and its effectiveness was confirmed. TSM plans to adopt the system on a full scale, while Manit, which operates fish farms in Thailand, also intends to introduce the technology.
Sasaki explained, "We want to raise young fish from Manit's aquaculture facilities using water from the Niyodo River, which has repeatedly been recognized as having the best water quality in Japan. By improving the breed over successive generations, we hope to make the fish suitable for eating as sashimi. Eventually, we'd also like to see it used as a topping at conveyor-belt sushi restaurants."
Sasaki has been involved in exchange programs with Thailand for 38 years.
"As a private citizen, I feel proud that I can help deepen the bond between the Japanese Imperial Family and the Thai royal family here in Niyodogawa. I want to share this story with the world," he said, describing his vision for the project.
September 2027 will mark the 140th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Japan and Thailand. Exchanges between the two countries through food and water are expected to grow even stronger.
This article is published in cooperation with Strong Japan, a logo partner of Japan 2 Earth.
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Author: Mika Sugiura
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