P-8 AEON x JAL: Cross-Industry Collaboration to Promote Sustainable Seafood

Throughout the plenaries, the importance of collaboration among various stakeholders was highlighted. AEON and Japan Airlines join the stage to introduce their cross-industry collaboration.

Certified Seafood is for Consumer’s Peace of Mind 

Since 2006, AEON has been proactively introducing MSC and ASC certified seafood. Currently, 42 products from 23 species of fish are available as MSC-certified products, and 18 products from 9 species of fish are available as ASC-certified products.

Being an industry leader, AEON often receives questions asking such why they value global third-party certifications. Mr. Yamamoto stated that “This is the most reliable, low-cost method for delivering both safe and reliable products to consumers.” 

There are three basic ideas that AEON has retained through its sustainable seafood initiatives over the last 15 years. First, by emphasizing sustainable procurement standards, we can deliver reliable products to consumers. Second, by ensuring transparency in the supply chain, we can take a stand against social issues such as human rights violations. And third, by considering stocks’ reproductivity to ensure the resource for the future.

 AEON developed a robust supply chain through its initiative. Now AEON is reaching out to other industries to support them procure certified seafood. One of the examples is the collaboration with Japan Airlines. 

Making Sustainable In-Flight Meals— Collaboration across the Industries

In response to internal and external requests to provide sustainable seafood in its in-flight meals, Japan Airlines introduced MSC and ASC certified products with the assistance of AEON. Ms. Otsuki of Japan Airlines says, “In terms of sustainability, not only incorporating sustainable ingredients, but we are also working towards reducing food wastage by providing high quality delicious in-flight meals.”

Japan Airlines is also reducing the use of plastic products to achieve SDGs. They’ll be changing over utensils to paper straws, wood and metal stir-sticks, and metal cutlery. Also, paper products such as in-flight magazines, paper cups, hand towels, menu cards, and paper straws will be FSC certified. The company is planning to complete the transition by the end of 2020.