Tokyo Auction Sets Record for Giant Bluefin Tuna at £2.4 Million
In a historic auction, Tokyo's main fish market witnessed a record-breaking sale when a giant bluefin tuna, weighing in at 243kg (536lbs), was sold to sushi entrepreneur Kiyoshi Kimura for an astonishing 510.3m yen (£2.4 million). This monumental transaction has shattered the previous record by nearly £200 million.
Kimura, known as the 'Tuna King', expressed his surprise and delight at securing such a massive catch at the pre-dawn auction, where prices soared unexpectedly. He attributed the high price to its auspicious nature, hoping that consuming it would energize many people.
This sale marks the highest price recorded since comparable data began being collected in 1999, with a previous record of £4.5 million set in 2019 for a slightly smaller specimen.
After the auction, the tuna was dissected and used to create sushi for Kimura's restaurants, selling at approximately 500 yen (£2.40) per roll.
Young customers Minami Sugiyama and Kiyoshi Nishimura expressed their delight over the taste of the bluefin tuna, with Sugiyama describing it as 'auspicious' and 'happy-making'. Their testimonials highlight the significance of such a rare catch in boosting spirits during Japan's new year celebrations.
In a historic auction, Tokyo's main fish market witnessed a record-breaking sale when a giant bluefin tuna, weighing in at 243kg (536lbs), was sold to sushi entrepreneur Kiyoshi Kimura for an astonishing 510.3m yen (£2.4 million). This monumental transaction has shattered the previous record by nearly £200 million.
Kimura, known as the 'Tuna King', expressed his surprise and delight at securing such a massive catch at the pre-dawn auction, where prices soared unexpectedly. He attributed the high price to its auspicious nature, hoping that consuming it would energize many people.
This sale marks the highest price recorded since comparable data began being collected in 1999, with a previous record of £4.5 million set in 2019 for a slightly smaller specimen.
After the auction, the tuna was dissected and used to create sushi for Kimura's restaurants, selling at approximately 500 yen (£2.40) per roll.
Young customers Minami Sugiyama and Kiyoshi Nishimura expressed their delight over the taste of the bluefin tuna, with Sugiyama describing it as 'auspicious' and 'happy-making'. Their testimonials highlight the significance of such a rare catch in boosting spirits during Japan's new year celebrations.