Record $3.2Million Paid for Tokyo Tuna

A saltwater fish was sold for a record-setting 510.3 million yen ($3.2 million) during the first auction of the year at Tokyo’s Toyosu fish market on Monday.

The 243-kilogram bluefin tuna, caught off the coast of Oma in Aomori Prefecture in northeastern Japan, was acquired by Kiyomura Corp., the operator of the well-known sushi restaurant chain Sushizanmai, based in Tokyo.

Kiyomura President Kiyoshi Kimura said, “The first tuna of the year brings good fortune. We hope many people can enjoy it and feel revitalised,” as reported by Kyodo News Agency.

The tuna will be prepared at Sushizanmai’s flagship branch in Tsukiji and distributed to its outlets nationwide. Despite the record-breaking price, the company revealed it would offer the tuna at standard prices to customers.

According to the Tokyo metropolitan government, this year’s winning bid is the highest since comparable auction data began being recorded in 1999.

Bidders are known to invest significant sums in the year’s first auction, as it is believed to bring good luck and offer restaurants an excellent marketing opportunity.

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