Cork, Ireland-based aquaculture investment firm Hatch Blue has announced a strategic partnership with Chūō, Japan-based marine sustainability consultancy firm UMITO Partners.
The two organizations announced plans to launch the Japan Aquatech Innovation Studio flagship program in 2027 to pair aquaculture innovation programs in Japan with the capital needed to commercialize and launch.
"Japan has world-class producers and a rich marine culture, supported by growing policy momentum to make the seafood and aquaculture sector both more competitive and sustainable," UMITO Partners Founder and CEO Shunji Murakami said. "By partnering with Hatch Blue, we can combine their global insight and ability to identify high-potential aquaculture startups with UMITO’s deep connections across Japan’s industry and government ecosystem and our expertise in marine sustainability. Together, we aim to create a program that drives real economic growth while advancing a more sustainable future for the ocean."
Hatch Blue added that an innovation studio in the country will help combat challenges companies face in attempting to scale, such as rising feed costs, labor shortages, environmental pressures, and a slowing domestic economy. While many environmental challenges will still exist, innovating through a sustainable lens will help manage growth effectively, Hatch Blue said.
UMITO Partners will be the strategic local partner co-designing the program while also leading on-the-ground implementation. Hatch Blue will be responsible for the ideation stages of the program.
"We have spent eight years building programs that turn early-stage aquaculture innovation into real commercial businesses," Hatch Blue Co-Founder and Partner Wayne Murphy said. "Japan is one of the most important seafood markets in the world, and UMITO Partners is the ideal partner on the ground. Together, we can give Japanese corporations and investors a front-row seat to the technologies defining the future of the industry and give innovators a serious route into Japan."
Once built, aquaculture innovation founders will be able to access Hatch Blue's global network of companies, but until then, Hatch Blue said the two firms are inviting Japanese corporations, government bodies, and funders looking to sponsor or partner to reach out. The two organizations are hosting a study session for prospective partners this month ahead of the 2027 launch.
In a release, Hatch Blue noted that Japan's marine aquaculture production was valued at JPY 595.6 billion (USD 3.7 billion, EUR 3.3 billion) in 2023, a 10 percent year-over-year increase. Japan's seafood export totals reached JPY 423.1 billion in 2025 (USD 2.6 billion, EUR 2.3 billion), and the country has an export target goal of JPY 1.1 trillion (USD 6.9 billion, EUR 6.1 billion) by 2030.
