Overview
- Large-scale mortality of farmed oysters has been confirmed in parts of Hiroshima Prefecture, with some producers reporting sudden losses of 80–90%.
- Governor Yokota Mika visited cultivation sites in Etajima and Kure to view dead oysters and consult with industry representatives.
- The prefecture is moving to include related expenses in a 2025 supplementary budget and to share loan-interest subsidies with municipalities to ease cash flow for affected businesses.
- Officials say environmental stressors such as high water temperatures, high salinity, and low oxygen are suspected, and industry voices have urged measures like deploying crushed oyster shells to address hydrogen sulfide concerns.
- Commercial impacts are immediate, with oyster huts halting grilled fresh offerings and using substitutes as inventories shrink, and supermarkets altering packaged sales due to reduced landings.