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NORWAY EXPLAINED

Why we can thank Norway for salmon sushi

Nowadays, salmon sushi is considered a staple in sushi culture in Japan and all over the world. However, that was not always the case.

Sushi
Although Japan has a long history of eating raw fish, Pacific salmon was not considered safe to eat raw until relatively recently. Photo by Fadya Azhary on Unsplash

Most sushi restaurants today offer salmon as part of their regular menus. However, just a couple of decades ago, you’d be hard-pressed to find any.

While Japan has a long tradition of eating raw fish that goes back centuries, the nation did not consider the Pacific salmon clean enough to eat raw until relatively recently.

So, what changed, and how did Norwegian salmon make its way into Japanese sushi culture?

A story that unfolded over four decades

Japan has always been a natural market for seafood, with a strong seafood culture and a high demand for fish. Some 40 years ago, the country had a self-sufficient seafood industry. However, by the mid-1990s, Japan was only 50 percent self-sufficient due to, among other factors, overfishing and being thrown out of other countries’ fishing zones. This led to a breakdown in their fisheries.

In 1985, then Norwegian Fisheries Minister Thor Listau visited Japan with a delegation of nearly 20 people to establish a government initiative called Project Japan.

The project aimed to promote all types of Norwegian fish and increase exports to Japan. With the assistance of the Norwegian embassy, the delegation aimed to accomplish its goal by attracting the attention of influential figures such as chefs and key players in the high-end hotel and restaurant industry. 

At the time, Norway’s seafood exports to Japan represented only 1 percent of Japan’s total imports and 7 percent of Norway’s seafood exports, but by 1991, this amount had grown substantially, according to Norway Exports.

According to industry experts, Project Japan not only opened doors but also made Norwegian exporters focus on Japan. The project significantly impacted the culinary habits of the Japanese people, who were not accustomed to eating raw salmon.

Salmon was commonly used for grilling and a dried fish dish called kirimi, while tuna and sea bream were preferred for sushi.

The Japanese hesitated to consume Pacific salmon raw due to their exposure to parasites and perceived leanness. Furthermore, domestic tuna distributors in Japan were also sceptical and highly protective.

A very successful promotional campaign

Introducing salmon into the Japanese market was a big challenge. However, through Project Japan, Norwegian exporters were able to convince the Japanese that the safety and nutritional benefits of raw salmon were unquestionable. Subsequently, salmon sushi eventually became popular in the country.

Project Japan also helped establish Norwegian salmon as a premium product in the Japanese market. As a result, Norway is currently one of the largest exporters of salmon to Japan (and a global industry leader that exports salmon to over 150 nations), according to the Norwegian Seafood Council.

Overall, the initiative played a key role in the success of the Norwegian seafood industry in Japan. It introduced raw salmon to the Japanese market and opened doors for Norwegian exporters.

Salmon has ranked as the most popular sushi in Japan on multiple occasions in recent years, and Norway’s introduction of salmon to Japan is widely considered one of Norway’s most notable export success stories in the last three decades.

The success of salmon sushi in Japan opened the doors for markets in other countries, especially with the recent uptick in the popularity of Japanese cuisine worldwide.

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What parental benefits are you entitled to as a freelancer in Norway?

For newcomers to Norway, navigating the world of parental benefits can be complex, especially if you're a freelancer.

What parental benefits are you entitled to as a freelancer in Norway?

Navigating a foreign country’s administrative and social support systems can often feel overwhelming, particularly if you don’t fit the standard of a typical employee with a permanent contract.

This complexity is more pronounced for freelancers, who must contend with specific challenges – such as changing income levels and varying definitions of their work status.

READ MORE: What parents in Norway need to know before going on parental leave

The fact that Norway is a country renowned for its generous social benefits and high standard of living doesn’t make this situation different from other countries.

Understanding – and accessing – parental benefits as a freelancer can be confusing, especially when it comes to parental allowance.

Defining freelancers in Norway

While many freelancers in Norway operate as sole proprietors (ENK), the Norwegian Labour and Welfare Administration (NAV) has a special definition in place for freelancers.

Under Norwegian regulations, freelancers are considered independent contractors who receive a salary fee (also called salaried freelancers).

In contrast, those running an ENK are classified as self-employed.

This distinction can be confusing because most freelancers in Norway are, in fact, self-employed and call themselves freelancers.

That’s why, when consulting NAV’s information on parental allowance or using their online site, those with an ENK should view and declare themselves as “self-employed” rather than “freelancers.”

So, if you contact NAV to inquire about your rights, explain your business arrangement in detail.

Psst! If you are considering setting up as a freelancer in Norway, make sure to read The Local’s in-depth guide on the options at your disposal.

Understanding your social rights as a freelancer

As a freelancer in Norway, your social rights differ from those of traditional employees.

Unlike employees, freelancers are not entitled to sick pay from their clients. However, they are eligible for sick pay from the NAV starting from the 17th day of illness.

READ MORE: What are the rules for foreigners accessing welfare in Norway

To enhance their coverage, they can also opt for voluntary supplementary insurance.

Furthermore, freelancers do not benefit from a pension scheme provided by clients, so they need to look into a personal pension plan to ensure financial security in retirement.

Under certain conditions, freelancers may be eligible for unemployment benefits.

If you need clarification on whether you qualify, contact the NAV and share the specifics of your case with them.

Parental benefits for freelancers

Parents in Norway, including freelancers, are entitled to 12 months’ leave in connection with a birth of their child.

This leave period includes the mother’s right to up to 12 weeks’ leave during pregnancy and six weeks’ leave that can only be taken by the mother after the birth.

Furthermore, all welfare benefits for freelancers and the self-employed in the country are based on the profit of their businesses.

This profit is the amount remaining after deducting business expenses.

For instance, if you invoice 600,000 kroner annually and have 150,000 kroner in expenses (such as office space, travel, and equipment), NAV will use your profit of 450,000 kroner to calculate your benefits, including parental allowance.

The maximum benefit amount is capped at six times the National Insurance basic amount (1G), which, as of May 1st, 2023, is 118,620 kroner.

This cap applies to freelancers, wage earners, and others eligible for benefits.

Calculating parental allowance

For self-employed individuals, parental allowance is typically calculated based on the average income over the last three years, with the NAV obtaining this data from the Tax Agency.

Note: If your profits have fluctuated significantly over the period or if you have been in business for less than three years, you will need to provide the NAV with a detailed description of how your business operates and makes money.

Based on that information, they will conduct an individual assessment and make a discretionary decision regarding the amount you will be paid for parental allowance.

On the other hand, the rules for salaried freelancers and those with a limited company (AS) mirror those for regular employees.

Parental allowance is generally based on the average income from the three months preceding the start of the parental benefit period.

If there is a significant difference (over 25 percent) between your annual income and your recent three-month income, NAV will determine which figure is more representative.

Parental allowance can be taken consecutively or in combination with work or holidays.

For more detailed information, you can check out NAV’s guidelines on parental allowance.

Alternatives for those not entitled to parental allowance

Even if one or both parents are not entitled to parental allowance, they still have the right to parental leave.

In such cases, the mother can apply for a one-off benefit, and in certain circumstances, the father can too.

Additionally, as employee interest organisations often point out, the parent who has not accrued the right to parental allowance can begin to accrue this right while the other parent is on leave.

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