Goldfish shipments reach peak in Nara production center

NARA — Shipments of goldfish for summer festivals and other events are reaching peak levels in Yamato-Koriyama, Nara Prefecture, known for its goldfish production.

Yamato-Kingyoen Co., based in the city, usually ships about 3 million goldfish for fishing games at summer events. However, the coronavirus pandemic led to a decrease in demand with this year’s shipments expecting to reach only about 30% of normal levels.

“We are worried about the rapid spread of the virus, but we want to bring memories and smiles to the children’s faces,” the company’s President Teruya Shimada said.