In 1960, Chicago gave Japan’s future emperor 18 bluegill as a friendship gift, and their descendants spread in Japan and reached an estimated 25 million in Lake Biwa

During his 1960 visit to Chicago, Crown Prince Akihito inadvertently introduced bluegill fish to Japan. The species thrived and proliferated, wreaking havoc on local ecosystems by outcompeting native fish. In response to this ecological crisis, Japanese officials enacted bounties and regulations aimed at curbing the bluegill’s expansion. Years later, Emperor Akihito expressed regret over the lasting environmental impact of this introduction.
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