1. Ornamental fish are fish kept at home for enjoyment due, for example, to their attractive color or interesting habits. In addition to typical kinds of ornamental fish such as carp and goldfish, and tropical fish which are fun and easy to breed at home are also now included.
   
   
2. Although most carp and goldfish are bred in Japan, it is estimated that some 95% of tropical fish are imported. Imported tropical fish can be broadly divided into fish that alive in fresh water and those that live in the sea. Over two thirds of the fish on the domestic market at present are thought to be freshwater fish, and under one third saltwater fish. The Japanese market is estimated to be worth in the region of \30 billion in total.
   
   
3. Imports between 1988 and 1998 were as follows:

   1988	1,891,683
   1989	2,552,297
   1990	3,316,625
   1991	4,227,368
   1992	5,416,156
   1993	6,018,884
   1994	6,850,776
   1995	7,359,964
   1996	8,037,925
   1997	6,381,687
   1998	5,149,777

   (Unit: 1,000yen)

   As can be seen from these figures, imports peaked in 1996 in value and subsequently declined.

4. Trends in imports of fresh and frozen vegetables have been as follows:

   	Carp/goldfish	Tropical fish	Total
   1996	17,345	8,020,580	8,037,925
   1997	21,790	6,359,897	6,381,687
   1998	26,916	5,122,861	5,149,777

   (Unit: 1,000yen)

5. The main sources of imports are shown below.

   	1996	1997	1998
   Singapore	1,505,985	1,185,770	901,132
   Indonesia	1,141,010	840,502	763,838
   U.S.A.	1,050,309	817,303	570,345
   Hong Kong	1,041,390	678,859	478,172
   Brazil	703,067	609,665	520,228
   Malaysia	587,076	473,728	436,666
   Germany	360,926	221,576	160,183
   Other countries	1,648,162	2,229,143	1,319,213
   Total	8,037,925	6,381,687	5,149,777

   (Unit: 1,000yen)

6. Reasons for the high level of imports include the followings:
   1. The expansion in sources of imports as a result of the appreciation of the yen.
   2. The downscaling of hobby and leisure activities due to the effects of the recession combined with the ease and upmarket image of keeping tropical fish.
   3. Growth in demand for fish to display in banks, department stores, etc.
   4. Tropical fish used to be kept for breeding purposes, but they are now used in combination with water plants and fish tanks to create an attractive interior.
   5. The development of filters and water quality stabilizers and improvements in other technology have made it easier to keep tropical fish.
   6. The boom in popularity of aquariums and growth in the number of people who have taken up diving has resulted in increased interest in tropical fish.

   Large discount stores such as DIY stores have started stocking tropical fish in the past couple of years, causing distributors' inventories to increase while demand has remained static. Imports have consequently dropped in terms of volume.

7. Around 4,000-5,000 species of tropical fish are imported from over 40 countries around the world. Farmed fish popular in Japan such as guppy and neon tetra are imported mostly from Southeast Asia, while more expensive fish such as Corydorus, Discus are imported from the U.S.A. and Apistogramma and Neolamprologus are mainly imported from Europe. As mentioned above, 95% of tropical fish are imported, but the remaining 5% are bred domestically. These are tropical fish raised utilizing subterranean heat generated by the volcano of Mt. Aso, and species such as guppies which are bred for the enjoyment of selective breeding. Although imports are cheap, they do not satisfy real enthusiasts in terms of color and patterns, and many hobbyists like to selectively breed fish themselves.
   
   
8. With the exception of species such as Asian Arowana, whose capture and trade for commercial purposes is strictly controlled under the Washington Convention, imports of tropical fish are unrestricted.
   
   
9. Fish are distributed to the retail market mainly through specialist importers in the big cities (such as Tokyo and Osaka) and then to local wholesalers. The majority of importers also function as wholesalers, and sell directly to retailers. Recently, some general pet shops have started to sell ornamental fish as well as specialist pet-fish shops. Some DIY stores have also started to handle ornamental fish. Approximately 70% of sales are through specialist stores, and the remainder through discount stores. With regard to supplies, however, the situation is reversed, 60% of sales being through discount stores and about 40% through specialty stores. Discount stores mainly sell peripherals and other supplies, while many specialist retailers are establishing branches inside discount stores to sell and look after tropical fish. Some large specialist stores also rent tropical fish to firms such as banks and department stores.
   
   
10. Exports of tropical fish are as follows:

    	Carp/goldfish	Tropical fish	Total
    1996	36,856	1,032,014	1,068,870
    1997	36,352	1,075,618	1,111,970
    1998	21,243	956,400	977,643

    (Unit: 1,000yen)

    	1996	1997	1998
    U.K.	193,304	236,141	291,442
    Singapore	186,215	117,665	59,147
    Hong Kong	183,109	259,552	111,126
    Netherlands	119,093	108,737	126,418
    U.S.A.	96,878	86,223	134,691
    Germany	68,048	68,182	78,185
    Other countries	222,223	235,470	176,634
    Total	1,068,870	1,111,970	977,643

    (Unit: 1,000yen)

11. In the light of factors such as the downward shift in the price of fish kept as ornaments, the widespread popularity of women hobbyists, and their popularity as part of interiors, industry sources suggest that although demand may not grow as strongly as it has done to date, it will at least maintain its current level.

Source: Japan Trade Monthly