Jan Eirik Johnsen – the Norwegian Seafood Council's new Seafood Envoy to Japan.
Photo: Alexander Henriksen / Norwegian Seafood Council.
The Norwegian Seafood Council (NSC) announced yesterday that it has appointed Jan Eirik Johnsen to the position of Seafood Envoy to Japan, who will take over the baton in Tokyo on 1 July.
Johnsen succeeds Johan Kvalheim, who has led the work of the Norwegian Seafood Council in Japan and, for a long period, also in South Korea, until recently, when the NSC changed the status of this office, which, since January 1, is independent and headed by Ingebjørg Hjortdahl.
"Johan has been an excellent representative of the Norwegian seafood industry during his tenure. It has been a pleasure to benefit from his strong contributions in the market, and we welcome him back to the Norwegian Seafood Council's head office," said NSC Director of Global Operations, Børge Grønbech.
Regarding the incoming envoy to Japan, the NSC statement highlighted that, after holding various positions at the Norwegian Seafood Council, Johnsen currently serves as Head of Analysis for Pelagic Fish and Key Account Manager for Pelagic Species. "Pelagic fish in particular have long been close to his heart," reads the NSC release.
Commenting on his appointment, Jan Eirik Johnsen himself recalled that Japan is the world's third-largest market for seafood and has historical significance for Norwegian seafood products.
"Together with my local colleague, Paul Tsai, I look forward to working with Team Norway and the embassy to realize the ambitions of the Norwegian seafood industry in the market," he said.
"In my job as Head of Pelagic Fish at the Norwegian Seafood Council, I have worked closely with the market for more than 10 years. I have become both fascinated and inspired to carry forward the solid work that has been carried out in the market over many years," Johnsen continued.
"In close cooperation with the Norwegian seafood industry, I will continue to build relationships across the value chain and ensure that the strong position Norwegian seafood holds is maintained," he added about his plans for his new role.
In its statement, the Norwegian Seafood Council also noted that Jan Eirik Johnsen ultimately stood out as the best candidate from a large and strong pool of applicants.
As reflected in the latest NSC report on Norwegian seafood exports in December and throughout 2025, Japan continues to be Norway's largest mackerel market, but faced challenges last year, so Johnsen's experience in pelagics will play a key role.
"We are privileged to be able to choose from so many highly qualified applicants. After a thorough process with several strong candidates, we ultimately landed on Jan Eirik. His in-depth knowledge of the seafood industry, the Japanese market, and his competence profile within market insight, market access, and marketing were decisive," Børge Grønbech explained.
"With this, the seafood industry gains a resource with a very solid foundation for meeting the opportunities and challenges that exist in the Japanese market," the Director of Global Operations at the Norwegian Seafood Council added.
Grønbech also pointed out that, with Johnsen's departure to Japan, the Norwegian Seafood Council is considering how to ensure sufficient competence and capacity for pelagic species centrally within the Council.
