Record $3.1m paid in tuna auction at Japan

A Japanese sushi entrepreneur paid a record $3.1 million for a giant tuna yesterday as Tokyo’s new fish market, which replaced the world-famous Tsukiji late last year, held its first pre-dawn New Year’s auction.

Bidding stopped at a whopping 333.6 million yen for the enormous 278-kilogramme (612-pound) fish—an endangered species—that was caught off Japan’s northern coast.

Self-styled “Tuna King” Kiyoshi Kimura paid the top price, which doubled the previous record of 155 million yen also paid by him in 2013.

“It’s the best tuna. I was able to buy a delicious, super fresh tuna,” the sushi restaurant chain owner proudly told reporters.

“The price was higher than originally thought, but I hope our customers will eat this excellent tuna,” Kimura said after the auction.

Tsukiji—the world’s biggest fish market and a popular tourist attraction in an area packed with restaurants and shops—moved in October to Toyosu, a former gas plant a bit further east.

 

Record $3.1m paid in tuna auction at Japan

A Japanese sushi entrepreneur paid a record $3.1 million for a giant tuna yesterday as Tokyos new fish market, which replaced the world-famous Tsukiji late last year, held its first pre-dawn New Years auction. Bidding stopped at a whopping 333.6 million yen for the enormous 278-kilogramme (612-pound) fishan endangered speciesthat was caught off Japans northern coast. Self-styled Tuna King Kiyoshi Kimura paid the top price, which doubled the previous record of 155 million yen also paid by him in 2013. Its the best tuna. I was able to buy a delicious, super fresh tuna, the sushi restaurant chain owner proudly told reporters. The price was higher than originally thought, but I hope our customers will eat this excellent tuna, Kimura said after the auction. Tsukijithe worlds biggest fish market and a popular tourist attraction in an area packed with restaurants and shopsmoved in October to Toyosu, a former gas plant a bit further east.