Tuncay Sagun, who inherited the Kemal Balıkçılık brand from his father in Samsun and today, as Sagun Group, has established himself among the world’s largest seafood brands, received an award from the Japanese Embassy.

Ambassador Akio Miyajima presented the award to Tuncay Sagun at a ceremony held at the official residence of the Japanese Embassy in Ankara, recognizing his contributions to fostering friendship and trade between the two countries. Sagun exports 2,000 tons of tuna, produced at his farm in Izmir, to Japan for sushi, a symbol of traditional Japanese cuisine.

Tuncay Sagun, who inherited the legacy of his father Kemal Sagun—a descendant of a family that has cast its nets in the Black Sea for generations—continues the fishing industry with 8 companies and 15 separate facilities in 5 regions of Turkey. With production facilities in 3 countries, he is making Turkish seafood known to the world. Exporting 70% of the 386 types of products produced in his facilities, Sagun is one of Japan’s largest suppliers of tuna. Selling tuna produced at his farm in Urla, İzmir, to meet the sushi needs of traditional Japanese cuisine, Tuncay Sagun has achieved an annual export of 2,000 tons. This figure has made Turkey the third largest exporter of tuna to Japan after Spain and Malta, and Tuncay Sagun was awarded an honorary prize by the Japanese Embassy. Tuncay Sagun received his award from the Japanese Ambassador to Ankara, Akio Miyajima.

‘One heart’

Ambassador Miyajima, who speaks Turkish and Japanese, stated that the Sagun Group strengthens trade relations between the two countries. Miyajima said, “Although Japan and Turkey are geographically distant, our hearts are close. We are two hearts as one.” devlet,

Tuncay Sagun, who has been exporting to Japan for 18 years and established Turkey’s first tuna farm, said, “I have received many awards throughout my life, but this is something else entirely. I can call this place my second home. Receiving this honor from Japan has added meaning to my professional life. As a businessman passionately devoted to fishing, I will continue to work to develop the culture and trade relations between the two countries.”