Doing business in Asia, Japan, China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, South Korea, and Russia.

Mitsui & Co. has invested about Y2.5 billion ($220 million) ($22 million) to acquire a 37% stake in Allied Pacific, a Chinese firm that farms and processes shrimp.

Consumers in Japan, the U.S. and Europe have become increasingly sensitive to food safety.

Perhaps Mistui saw a business opportunity.

If the company can secure a stable supply of shrimp for which traceability would not be a problem, then profitability follows.

Allied Pacific owns shrimp-farming and feed-production facilities:

1. on Hainan Island.

2. in the city of Zhanjiang

3. in Dalian.

Though registered in Hong Kong, Allied Pacific's headquarters are in Dalian.

The company exports some 13,000 tons of shrimp a year.

The Chinese firm will use the Mistsui investment to upgrade its farming facilities  and improve sanitation.

Trading house Mitsui plans to spend a total of roughly Y80 billion by fiscal 2010 to secure food resources.

Will you feel it safer to eat shrimp from China if Japan is involved? 

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Japanese Mitsu Buys 37% Stake in Chinese Shrimper