News Shizuoka town to turn invasive nutria into savoury meals

JA (Japan Agriculture) now diversifies into nutria, an invasive rodent species in Japan.

In an effort that blends pest control with sustainable food innovation, officials in Iwata have begun experimenting with turning nutria—a large invasive rodent—into game meat for human consumption. Originally native to South America, nutrias have been damaging local crops such as broccoli and rice since they were first sighted in the Iwata area in 2021. Each year, only a small number are captured, but city officials now believe the focus should shift from simple eradication to practical use.


Iwata's mayor, Kusachi Hiroaki, has already tasted nutria prepared as sausage and in a tomato-based stew, and expressed his approval. He described the flavour as excellent and argued that the meat could easily be developed into a commercial product. Animals should not be viewed solely as agricultural pests, but rather as a potential resource. By utilising them, the city could also build a more sustainable, circular economy.

Hunters will use live traps and air rifles to capture nutrias, while the JA will compile reports on crop damage and sightings. The collected data, including the capture location, size and condition of the animals, will help form strategies to prevent future damage. Researchers from the university will focus on analyzing the nutritional value, meat quality and flavor of nutria. They aim to develop menu ideas that could eventually be introduced to restaurants or markets. Although an establishment in the prefecture already serves nutria dishes, comprehensive information about the meat's nutritional content is still lacking.

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Nutria, an Invasive Species, Causing Serious Agricultural Damage in Shizuoka
"Shocking, just as we were ready to work hard to grow rice" — Some areas expect a 20% drop in harvest due to damage from nutria (June 30, 2025)
As people are reminded daily of the value of being able to eat rice, farmers are troubled by nutria ravaging their fields. In Hamamatsu City, some producers say the 2025 harvest may fall by around 20%, signaling a serious situation.
A trap set alongside a waterway in Hamamatsu contained a nutria, a designated invasive alien species. Native to South America, these large rodents are believed to have been brought to Japan before World War II for use in military uniform fur. Hamamatsu City has been contracting specialists to carry out capture efforts.
Hiroaki Okamoto, Chairman of Roots Japan
"The biggest problem is agricultural damage. They eat rice and vegetables."
According to the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, annual damage to crops caused by nutria amounts to about 50 million yen, a figure that has remained flat over the past five years. Roughly half of that damage is to rice.
One victim is Mr. Kawai, who grows rice in Mikabi Town, Hamana Ward, Hamamatsu City. His paddies were hit by nutria in 2025.
Minoru Kawai, Representative, Osaki District Reclamation Association
"As you can see, there are nutria trails here, rice stalks are knocked down, and you can tell where they've been eaten. This is the Osaki district, and overall we expect around a 20% drop in harvest."
The Osaki district of Mikabi Town usually produces about 20 tons of rice each year. But due to nutria damage, the 2025 harvest is expected to fall, leaving producers disheartened.
Daiwa Shinohara, Cameraman (2018 footage)
"An animal believed to be a nutria has appeared. It's digging up soil and seems to be eating something."
This was footage of nutria captured in 2018 at Lake Sanaru in Hamamatsu by SBS (Shizuoka Broadcasting). In recent years, sightings in Hamamatsu have been on the rise: 229 cases reported in fiscal 2021, and 619 cases in fiscal 2024—more than double. According to local farmers, crop damage to rice has increased in proportion to the rise in sightings.
Representative Kawai
"We farmers are shocked to have our efforts destroyed by nutria just as we were determined to grow crops, but we will continue to work hard and keep producing."
With rice prices rising, hopes are high for the 2025 harvest. Yet, an invasive species once introduced for human convenience is now casting a shadow over Japanese agriculture.

I wonder they haven't been such a nuisance until recently.