r/interesting • u/angel_knight79 • 1d ago

Intriguing Kiyoshi Kimura and his effect on Somali piracy

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He was, and is, the owner of Kiyomura Corporation, which runs the Sushi Zanmai chain across Japan. In Tokyo he is known as the Tuna King, because every January he buys the most expensive fish at the first auction of the year at the central market.

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u/quequotion 22h ago

I am curious how it is possible that a Japanese CEO got in and out of a boat full of pirates without being held for ransom for weeks.

Any insights?

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u/Detail_Lost 21h ago

I believe the story was something like he was a former Japanese Defense force member but had to retire early after getting injured and started a sushi restaurant business as his next endeavor.

Years later he learned from his former colleagues stationed in Djibouti that Somali pirates they’re dealing with were formerly fishermen out of work.
He decided to help out by investing in boats which can fish tuna, facilities required to export internationally and connecting them to the his restaurant chain and other buyers.
Turning pirates back to fishermen helped them get back on their feet but also reduced risk his colleagues getting attacked by pirates and on top of that his restaurant chain got new source of tuna fish.

I’d guess initial contact with the pirates got help from the former colleagues in the force or maybe he convinced captured pirates to try being fishermen again?

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u/qorbexl 20h ago

Most criminals aren't bad people, just people with no other real choices and no way to get of the situation

That's why social outreach and social programs are useful for society 

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u/quequotion 19h ago

It's not that easy to convince career criminals to live a straight life.

They value high-profit, short-term ventures, such as extortion or kidnapping.

Long, hard work for mediocre profits has no appeal for them, even if it reduces their risk of death and imprisonment.

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u/qorbexl 7h ago

Oh. But the OP shows otherwise 

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u/quequotion 4h ago

Yeah, but Somali piracy continues apace, so...

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u/wi5hbone 22h ago

sigh…. somali questions

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u/Fearless_Intern8620 21h ago

Somalis respect character and courage so a old Japanese man solo dolo pulling up to “help” would gain some favour, and while it sounds strange also all the young guys love anime so would know about Japan and her peoples.