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Case Study 03 · Vietnam → Japan

From Vietnam's Oyster Farms to Japan's Food Industry

Building an international oyster supply chain from the ground up, 2020–2026.

Research initiated 2020 · Trial shipment 2022 · Commercial supply 2023 onward

In 2020, Mr. Nobuyoshi Kan received a direct inquiry from a Japanese food-industry partner about the possibility of sourcing oysters in Vietnam for the Japanese market. He led field research across southern, central and northern Vietnamese coastal regions, investigating farming conditions, raw-material suitability and the testing requirements associated with Japanese quality and food-safety expectations. Takayoshi joined selected field visits, including the Nha Trang-area research.

In 2021, the project identified promising sourcing areas and a Vietnamese manufacturing partner. Following further product, processing and quality coordination, the initiative achieved its first successful trial shipment to Japan in 2022. About four containers were shipped during 2023–2024, based on the project team's records.

In 2025 the company took the name OMNEX Co., Ltd., and the knowledge and partnerships developed through Mr. Kan's earlier work became part of the foundation for the program's next phase. In 2026, Takayoshi took on the coordination of the current Vietnamese manufacturing partnership and the program's commercial expansion, with Mr. Kan providing strategic advice.

Chronology

Six years, one supply chain

From a single inquiry to an ongoing export program. Open any year for the detail.

  • Led by Mr. Nobuyoshi Kan
  • Coordinated by OMNEX

  1. 2020

    ResearchLed by Mr. Nobuyoshi Kan

    Nationwide oyster research

    A Japanese food-industry partner asked Mr. Kan directly whether suitable oysters could be sourced in Vietnam. He led the field research that followed.

    Details
    • Field visits across the Mekong Delta (Miền Tây), Vũng Tàu, the Nha Trang area and northern coastal regions
    • Farming environments and aquaculture practices
    • Raw-material availability and suitability for Japan
    • The microbiological and heavy-metal testing Japan-market supply would require
    • Potential farming and processing partners
    • Takayoshi joined selected visits, including the Nha Trang-area research

  2. 2021

    QualificationLed by Mr. Nobuyoshi Kan

    Sourcing areas and a manufacturing partner

    Promising farming regions and a Vietnamese processing and manufacturing partner were identified.

    Details
    • Farming regions selected for further development
    • A Vietnamese manufacturing partner identified and evaluated
    • Work toward product specifications and processing arrangements
    • Quality coordination and trial readiness

  3. 2022

    TrialLed by Mr. Nobuyoshi Kan

    First successful trial shipment

    The project's first successful trial shipment of Vietnamese frozen oysters reached Japan, according to the project team's records.

    Details
    • Trial production with the Vietnamese manufacturing partner
    • Product, processing and quality coordination ahead of shipment
    • Shipping documentation coordinated with the responsible parties

  4. 2023–2024

    Commercial supplyLed by Mr. Nobuyoshi Kan

    Commercial supply begins

    Approximately four containers were shipped to Japan across 2023 and 2024, according to the project team's records.

    Details
    • About four containers over the two years combined — not per year
    • Ongoing coordination between the Japanese partner and the manufacturing partner
    • Shipment documentation and confirmations handled with the responsible parties

  5. 2025

    OMNEXCoordinated by OMNEX

    A new name, the next phase

    The company took the name OMNEX Co., Ltd. The knowledge and partnerships built through Mr. Kan's earlier work became part of the foundation for the program's next phase.

    Details
    • Oyster work from 2020 to 2024 was led by Mr. Kan through his earlier business arrangements and network
    • From 2025, the program is coordinated by OMNEX

  6. 2026

    ExpansionCoordinated by OMNEX

    Expansion

    As of October 2026, approximately 200 MT had been shipped to Japan this year, with 260 MT targeted by year-end.

    Details
    • ~200 MT shipped in 2026 — actual, as of October
    • ~260 MT full-year target — a projection, not yet shipped
    • Coordination lead: Takayoshi · strategic adviser: Mr. Kan

Field research

In the field

Photographs from the project team's research visits to Vietnamese oyster-farming areas, grouped by location.

Southern Vietnam

Vũng Tàu

Farm inspections, cultivation structures and sample examination.

3 photos

01Inspecting an oyster cultivation platform.
02Bamboo cultivation structures on blue flotation barrels.
03A shucked sample cut open to examine the meat.

Sample evaluation

Northern Vietnam

Evaluating and handling oyster samples.

2 photos

04Checking a shucked oyster during sample evaluation.
05Collected samples packed on ice.

South-central coast

Nha Trang area

Field visits to aquaculture areas, raw-material inspection and cultivation methods.

4 photos

06Mr. Nobuyoshi Kan (green shirt) and Takayoshi (black shirt) heading out by raft to a cultivation area.
07Takayoshi (left, black shirt) and Mr. Nobuyoshi Kan (white shirt) on a boat during a Nha Trang-area field visit.
08Oysters collected during a farm visit.
09Oysters grown on lines suspended beneath a bamboo frame.

Harvest & landing

Northern Vietnam

Aquaculture areas, harvesting and raw-material collection.

2 photos

10Harvested oysters in baskets, with farm buoys across the bay.
11A landing jetty where boats bring in the harvest.

These photographs document field visits and raw-material inspections. They do not show laboratory test results or certifications. Exact capture dates are not given, as not every photo can be dated precisely.

What it took

One project. Every link in the chain.

Partner need → field research and sourcing → manufacturing-partner qualification → development, trials and quality → paperwork and shipment confirmation → repeat orders and growth.

01

Partner requirements

Understanding exactly what the Japanese partner needed.

02

Field research

Investigating raw-material sources on the ground, region by region.

03

Sourcing & food safety

Assessing raw-material suitability and the testing Japan requires.

04

Manufacturing partners

Identifying and qualifying a capable Vietnamese processor.

05

Development & trials

Coordinating product development, trial production and quality.

06

Shipping & documents

Coordinating paperwork, document confirmations and shipment execution.

07

Long-term supply

Building continued commercial supply, order after order.

OMNEX coordinates documentation with the responsible manufacturers, partners, certification authorities and freight forwarders. Official certificates are issued by the competent authorities, and customs clearance is handled by licensed parties.

A reliable supply chain is not simply found. It is developed.

We do not simply connect a buyer to an existing manufacturer. We help develop the supply chains and manufacturing solutions that make a product commercially viable.

We are not a trading company.

We are not a consulting company.

We are your partner.

Sources & notes

Project chronology and shipment figures are based on OMNEX's own historical account and business records. Independent industry press covers the broader downstream business but does not independently verify all events listed here.

Related Japanese industry coverage

Minato Shimbun (31 January 2025, Japanese) ↗

Covers the broader downstream frozen-oyster business in Japan. It does not name Mr. Kan or OMNEX.

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