Overview
- Kiyoshi Kimura of Kiyomura Corp., which operates Sushi Zanmai, won the first-auction bid at Tokyo’s Toyosu market for a Pacific bluefin caught off Oma in northern Japan.
- The sale set a new Toyosu New Year auction record, surpassing Kimura’s own 2019 high of about ¥334 million, after bidding rose faster than he expected.
- At 243 kilograms, the purchase works out to roughly ¥2.1 million per kilogram, or about €11,000 per kilogram.
- The tuna was promptly filleted and served across Kimura’s restaurants, with local reports saying portions would be offered at regular menu prices.
- Coverage notes that Pacific bluefin stocks have been recovering under stricter quotas following overfishing concerns, while the ceremonial first auction is known for headline-grabbing prices.