Due to the impact of global warming, the catch of squid, a specialty of Hakodate, Hokkaido, has plummeted, impacting residents’ livelihoods.

Conversely, the catch of sardines is steadily increasing. Previously, sardines had no economic value locally, but some businesses have conceived of processing them into anchovy-sauce-style canned goods, creating business opportunities and providing employment.

Faced with the unsolvable issue of climate change, instead of passively resisting it, Hakodate, Hokkaido, has chosen to bravely take on the challenge, hoping to create new opportunities.

Potential Business Opportunities & Ventures

• “Bypass-to-Premium” Processing Facilities: There is a massive opportunity for modular, high-tech processing plants that can quickly adapt to different fish species. As sardines replace squid, these “flexible factories” can pivot from canning to fermentation (anchovy sauce) or fish oil extraction without massive re-tooling costs.
• Climate-Adaptive Aquaculture Consulting: Firms that specialize in transitioning traditional fishermen into “Ocean Farmers.” This includes the technology for king salmon and kelp farming mentioned in the text—providing the sensors, automated feeding systems, and genetic stock for new species.
• Bio-Refinery for “Waste” Species: Beyond food, sardines and new invasive or shifting species often contain high levels of collagen, omega-3s, and minerals. A startup focused on extracting pharmaceutical-grade ingredients from these “low-value” catches could create a massive B2B revenue stream.
• Resilience-Based Tourism & Branding: Creating “Climate Transition Tours” or educational retreats where tourists see how a city like Hakodate survives the Earth’s changes. This leverages the “Hakodate charm” mentioned by the Mayor, turning a crisis into a narrative of human ingenuity.
• Predictive “Catch-Shift” Data Platforms: Using AI and satellite sea-surface temperature data to predict which species will arrive in a local area next. This allows local businesses to prepare their supply chains before the traditional catch (like squid) disappears entirely.

“The sea is changing, and so must we. Hakodate didn’t just watch the squid disappear; they looked at what was arriving and built a new future around it. Is there a ‘dying’ industry in your local area that is actually hiding a new opportunity in plain sight? Share your observations below—let’s brainstorm how to turn that ‘waste’ into wealth together.“