1. The European Union has proposed stricter regulations on international trade of eel species, including Japanese and American eels, at a CITES conference in Uzbekistan.
2. This proposal is to upgrade all eel species from their current Appendix II status, requiring exporting countries to obtain permits before shipping.
3. Japan is urging other nations to jointly oppose the EU's proposal, stating that it heavily relies on imports for about 70% of eel consumption and fears increased costs and potential supply shortages if trade in Japanese eel were regulated.