Kiyoshi Kimura and the 243-kilogram tuna Photo: Yuichi YAMAZAKI / AFP / Profimedia
The highest price offered for a fish was recorded at the New Year's auction in the Toyosu fish market in Tokyo, reports Reuters. The bid price for a bluefin tuna by a Japanese sushi restaurant was ¥510,000,000, equivalent to $3,240,000.
The 243-kilogram specimen was purchased by Kiyomura Corp, owner of a popular sushi restaurant chain, Sushizanmai.
“I hope the economy will improve this year. The Takaichi administration promised to work, work and work again so that Sushizanmai will work, work and work again,” said Kiyomura company head Kiyoshi Kimura, referring to the government installed four months ago and led by Sanae Takaichi, Japan's first female prime minister.
The price offered by Kiyomura broke the record of ¥333,600,000, also held by this company, which was set in 2019.
“I thought the price would be a bit lower, somewhere around 400 or 300 million yen, but it's over 500 million,” said Kimura, also known as the “King of Tuna”.
The giant tuna was transported to Sushizanmai's headquarters, then sliced and distributed to its restaurants across Japan. Portions will be offered to consumers at the regular price, Kimura said.
