A colossal bluefin tuna has fetched an astonishing £2.4 million (510 million yen) at the first auction of the year in Tokyo, setting a new world record.
The 'Tuna King' Strikes Again
The historic bid was won by Kiyoshi Kimura, the owner of the Sushi Zanmai restaurant chain, who is famously known across Japan as the 'Tuna King'. The prized fish, weighing 243 kilograms (535 pounds), was caught off the coast of Oma in northern Japan, a region renowned for its premium tuna.
Mr Kimura, who has secured the top lot at this annual event multiple times before, smashed the previous record of £1.6 million (334 million yen) which he himself set back in 2019. He admitted he had hoped for a lower price, stating, "the price shot up before you knew it."
A Symbol of Luck and Quality
The New Year auction at the Toyosu fish market is a major event, with the first sale seen as bringing good fortune for the year ahead. "It's in part for good luck," Mr Kimura explained. However, his passion for the finest seafood was the primary driver. "But when I see a good-looking tuna, I cannot resist... I haven't sampled it yet, but it's got to be delicious," he added.
Despite the monumental wholesale cost, the restaurateur confirmed that dishes made from this record-breaking tuna would be sold to his customers at the standard menu price. The giant fish was transported to Sushi Zanmai's flagship branch before being expertly sliced and distributed to outlets across the country.
Conservation and Culinary Demand
The eye-watering price underscores the immense popularity of bluefin tuna in high-end sushi and sashimi. This demand has historically placed significant pressure on wild stocks.
The Pacific bluefin tuna has been listed as a threatened species, with populations impacted by overfishing and climate change. Conservationists note, however, that recent international management efforts have led to signs of a slow stock recovery, though the species remains vulnerable.
The auction on Monday 5 January 2026 firmly establishes a new benchmark in the global seafood market, highlighting the extreme value placed on this iconic marine species.
