Occurs in Hokkaido, Honshu, Shikoku, and Kyushu. Also recorded from Lake Biwa (Ref. 78994). Is also caught in saline river mouths, and is a moderately popular sports fish (Mark Donachy, pers. Comm., 2001). In Japan, carp is particularly symbolic on Boy's Day (May 5) because it represents strength, thus a carp replica called koi nobori, meaning to "to hang and fly a carp" is flown for every male member of the family on that day (Ref. 44091). Rare in Shiga Prefecture (Ref. 79825). Also Ref. 12228, 37812, 43640.

Status of threat: Threatened native population of Lake Biwa (LP) (Ref. 94887).