Japan's Most Famous Tuna Buyer Says He Turned Somali Pirates into Fishermen

A significant drop in piracy risk is now attributed to a tuna buyer's initiative, not just naval forces.

In 2011, Somali pirates attacked 237 ships, a peak in their activity. Despite patrols by twenty navies and increased security measures on vessels, attacks continued. Kiyoshi Kimura, owner of the Sushi Zanmai chain and known as Japan's 'Tuna King,' claims he intervened by providing four fishing boats to former pirates on the Somali coast around 2012. He states he taught them to catch yellowfin tuna, established shore-based freezer capacity, and committed to buying their catch at a stable price, aiming to provide a legitimate livelihood. This initiative coincided with a dramatic drop in pirate attacks, from 75 in 2012 to 15 in 2013, with hijackings ceasing by 2015. While international maritime bodies credit naval patrols and vessel hardening for the decline, Kimura's role has not been officially recognized by these organizations.

The article presents a contrast between the official narrative crediting international navies and security measures for the decline of Somali piracy, and Kiyoshi Kimura's assertion of his program's impact. Kimura's initiative, which focused on providing fishing infrastructure and market access, offers an alternative economic solution to piracy. This suggests that addressing the root causes, such as collapsed local fisheries and lack of economic opportunity, can be as effective, if not more so, than purely coercive measures.

This narrative highlights how private sector actors, driven by their own business interests, can tackle complex geopolitical issues in ways governments may overlook. Kimura's approach, rooted in his expertise in the seafood industry, demonstrates a market-based solution to piracy, turning a security problem into a supply chain opportunity. The story implies that understanding and leveraging local economic drivers can be crucial for conflict resolution and development in affected regions.