A Japanese sushi magnate has shattered records at Tokyo's prestigious New Year fish auction, paying an astonishing 510.3 million yen (£2.4 million) for a single giant bluefin tuna.
The Record-Breaking Bid
Kiyoshi Kimura, who proudly bears the nickname 'Tuna King', secured the 243kg (536lb) bluefin tuna during the pre-dawn auction at the city's main fish market. The colossal fish was caught off the coast of northern Japan. Kimura admitted the final price took him by surprise, stating, "I'd thought we would be able to buy a little cheaper but the price soared before you knew it."
This year's winning bid of 510.3 million yen sets a new high since comparable records began in 1999. It smashes the previous record of 333.6 million yen set in 2019 for a 278kg fish. Last year's top bid was significantly lower at 207 million yen.
From Auction to Sushi Counter
The journey of this multi-million-pound fish was swift. Shortly after the auction concluded, the prized tuna was expertly butchered and prepared for Kimura's nationwide restaurant chain. There, it was transformed into sushi rolls selling for approximately 500 yen (£2.40) per serving.
Customers were quick to sample the auspicious New Year delicacy. Minami Sugiyama, 19, told Agence France-Presse from a Kimura restaurant in Tsukiji, "I feel like I’ve begun the year in a good way after eating something so auspicious as the year starts." Another diner, Kiyoshi Nishimura, a 40-year-old Shinto priest, praised the flavour, noting, "Even without dipping it in soy sauce, there’s sweetness. And the richness, the texture – it just makes you feel happy."
A Tradition Bouncing Back
The extravagant sale marks a strong return for the iconic New Year tuna auction tradition, which saw prices plummet during the pandemic as restaurants scaled back operations. Kimura expressed his hope for the purchase, saying, "I hope that by eating auspicious tuna, as many people as possible will feel energised." The event not only celebrates the start of the year but also signals renewed confidence in Japan's hospitality and food culture sectors.
