In a landmark event for the seafood industry, a bluefin tuna weighing 243 kilograms (535 pounds) was sold for an astounding 510 million yen (approximately $3.2 million) during the inaugural auction of 2026 at Tokyo’s Toyosu fish market. This record-breaking transaction took place in the early hours of Monday, where the competitive atmosphere was palpable as bidders gathered to claim the prized catch.
The highest bid was placed by Kiyomura Corp., a well-known entity in the sushi business, led by owner Kiyoshi Kimura. Kimura, renowned for his Sushi Zanmai chain, has made a name for himself by frequently winning top bids at these annual auctions. This latest bid surpasses his previous record of 334 million yen ($2.1 million), which he set in 2019, highlighting the ongoing frenzy around high-quality tuna.
Upon securing the fish, Kimura remarked to reporters that he had hoped to acquire it at a lower price, but the bidding escalated rapidly. “The price shot up before you knew it,” he reflected, revealing the excitement and unpredictability of such auctions.
The auction process itself is a spectacle, commencing with the ringing of a bell that signals the start of a flurry of activity. Rows of torpedo-shaped fish line the auction floor, their tails removed to allow bidders to thoroughly inspect the quality of the meat, evaluating factors like color, texture, and fattiness. The record-breaking tuna had been caught off the coast of Oma in northern Japan, an area renowned for producing some of the highest-quality tuna in the country. The cost of this specific catch was reported at around 2.1 million yen ($13,360) per kilogram ($6,060 per pound).
Kimura also expressed a belief in the significance of purchasing such a fish, stating, “It’s in part for good luck. But when I see a good looking tuna, I cannot resist … I haven’t sampled it yet, but it’s got to be delicious.” His remarks underline the blend of business acumen and traditional belief that characterizes this annual event.
While hundreds of tuna are auctioned off every morning at the market, the prices for the Oma variety are notably elevated during this celebratory New Year auction. The high demand for tuna, particularly for sushi and sashimi, has been a driving force behind the escalating prices.
The Pacific bluefin tuna, once classified as a threatened species due to overfishing and climate change, has experienced a notable recovery in its stock following dedicated conservation efforts. This change not only reflects a commitment to sustainability but also enhances the market value of these prized fish, further fueling the competitive nature of auctions like the one held at Toyosu.
