OITA — Towa Suisan Co., Ltd., a subsidiary of NTT Green & Food Corporation, has officially started shipments of Japan’s first “Kabosu Salmon”, a RAS (Recirculating Aquaculture System) land-based product developed in Oita Prefecture.

Towa Suisan experimenting with aquaculture using green LED lights, which accelerates growth and shortens the time to shipment

The salmon is uniquely produced using kabosu, a citrus fruit for which Oita accounts for approximately 90% of national production. By incorporating locally grown kabosu into feed, the company has succeeded in introducing limonene, a citrus-derived aromatic compound, into the fish.

According to the company, this results in a reduction of fishy odor and a more pronounced umami flavor, improving its quality particularly for sashimi consumption.

Towa Suisan plays a vital role as a pillar of the local fish distribution system and approaches its daily work with freshness, quality, and reliability as top priorities.

The innovation builds on previous developments such as “Kabosu Flounder” and “Kabosu Pufferfish”, where similar feeding techniques were applied. Trials for Kabosu Salmon began in 2023, carried out in collaboration with the Oita Prefecture Northern Fisheries Group and regional fisheries stakeholders. Following confirmation of stable limonene accumulation, the company has now moved to full-scale commercial shipments.

Produced through land-based RAS technology, the salmon benefits from controlled farming conditions supported by NTT Group’s Information and Communication Technology (ICT). This enables real-time monitoring, improved environmental management, and consistent product quality, while supporting more sustainable aquaculture practices.

From reliance on human expertise to aquaculture powered by Physical AI: NTT Green & Food (hereinafter NTT G&F) aims to standardize workflows and develop Physical AI systems that integrate artificial intelligence—capable of learning and modeling these standardized processes—with robots designed to ultimately execute physical tasks.

The product is currently being supplied to corporate clients and restaurants, with applications ranging from traditional sashimi to Western and fusion cuisine.

Looking ahead, Towa Suisan Co., Ltd. stated it will continue its efforts in Kamae, Oita Prefecture, under its mission of “bringing the bounty of the sea closer to everyone,” contributing to solutions for food security and environmental challenges at local and global levels.