Owners of Japanese grocery stores and restaurants in the city fear they'll soon face supply shortages as an after-effect of the disasters in Japan. From a retail perspective, they're concerned about seaweed supply and a potential increase in the price of imported fish.
“We expect some minor difficulties and supply problems in the future,” said Tad Inomata, one of the owners of Yama Seafood, which imports fish from Japan. “I cannot predict when we'll start seeing a shortage, but we do anticipate it eventually.”
Prices of fish have remained stable so far, despite a decrease in supply, thanks mostly to a drop in domestic Japanese demand for fish. The earthquake and tsunami struck the northeast region of Japan on March 11, killing thousands and leveling homes and businesses in the region. Now the country is dealing with problems related to leaking nuclear reactors at the Fukushima Dai-Ichi power plant, 135 miles away from Tokyo. Because transportation is disrupted in the northeast, goods can't reach that area and some are going to waste, Mr. Inomata said.
To read the rest of the story, please go to: Crain's New York Business
