Final answer:
Japan sought bluefin tuna in the world market due to overfishing and the depletion of local stocks. This demand was fueled by the global rise of sushi as a culinary trend and Japan's postwar economic strategy that encouraged global trade. Efforts to manage sustainable fishing have been met with challenges, including the rise of illegal trade.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Japanese turned to the world market for bluefin tuna due to a combination of overfishing and increased demand for sushi. In Bestor's analysis of "How Sushi Went Global," it is evident that the depletion of local tuna resources, such as an estimated 80% decline of the Atlantic bluefin tuna population, pushed fisheries to seek tuna elsewhere. Concerns over the ecological impact and the influence of economic growth post-WWII led Japan to expand its fishing efforts globally. Japan, having transitioned from a producer of low-wage goods to an innovator in high technology, understood the value of appealing to a global market, which included exporting sushi culture and importing high-demand fish like the bluefin. Efforts to manage overfishing through strictly enforced quotas and international trade bans have met with varied success, and in some cases, spurred illegal trade. Understanding the high stakes involved in bluefin tuna fishing, where a single fish can sell for enormous sums, contributes to why Japan and other countries partake in this global market, despite the risk of overexploitation.