Kindai University, which pioneered the artificial farming of bluefin tuna — a pricy delicacy served as sushi — is giving new life to the discarded skin of the precious fish by utilizing it for leather and cosmetics products.
The Osaka Prefecture-based university and a leather company in neighboring Hyogo Prefecture have turned fish skin thrown away by restaurants in Tokyo and Osaka into such products as wallets, key cases and business card holders, which have been gaining in popularity for the leather, which retains the texture of fish scales.
"We made the products with an elegant touch and unique shiny surface," said Hiroshi Yoneda, a 38-year-old designer at leather manufacturer Cordvan Co.