Bluefin Tuna Fetches Over $3 Million at Tokyo Auction

In a record-breaking auction held at Tokyo’s Toyosu fish market, Kiyomura Corp purchased a single bluefin tuna for an astounding 510 million yen, equivalent to approximately $3.25 million. This transaction marks the highest price ever paid during the annual New Year auction, surpassing the company’s previous high of 333.6 million yen achieved in 2019.

Details of the Record Auction

The bluefin tuna weighed 243 kilograms (536 pounds) and was caught off the coast of Oma in northern Japan. This region is renowned for producing some of the finest tuna in the country, commanding significantly higher prices at auction compared to standard offerings.

Kiyoshi Kimura, president of Kiyomura Corp and known as the “Tuna King,” expressed surprise at the final bid, initially predicting it would be around 300 to 400 million yen. He stated, “I thought that [the winning bid] would come in a little bit lower, but it turned out to be over 500 million.”

The Impact of the Purchase

Following the auction, the tuna was transported to Kiyomura’s Sushizanmai restaurant chain, where it was promptly sliced and distributed across various locations. Despite the hefty price tag, the fish would need to yield about 1 million sushi portions for the restaurant chain to recoup its investment.

• Location of Catch: Off the coast of Oma, Japan
• Weight: 243 kilograms (536 pounds)
• Purchase Price: 510 million yen (approximately $3.25 million)
• Previous Record: 333.6 million yen in 2019

Economic Optimism and Conservation Efforts

Kimura’s bid reflects a hopeful outlook for the upcoming year, coinciding with expectations of economic improvement under the new government, led by Japan’s first female prime minister, Sanae Takaichi. He remarked, “I hope the economy will get better this year. Sushizanmai will work, work, work too.”

Despite the enthusiasm surrounding the bluefin tuna auction, it’s important to note the species’ past challenges. Once considered vulnerable due to overfishing, conservation measures implemented in recent years have led to its classification as “near threatened” by the IUCN Red List, a step up from its previous status.

As a delicacy popular for sushi and sashimi, Pacific bluefin tuna continues to attract significant attention and high bids, showcasing the intersection of culinary passion and economic opportunity in Japan’s vibrant fish market.