TOKYO, Jan 5 (V7N) - A prestigious New Year auction at Tokyo’s main fish market saw a bluefin tuna sell for a staggering 207 million yen ($1.3 million), marking the second-highest price ever recorded for the event since 1999.

The Onodera Group, a Michelin-starred sushi restaurant chain, secured the 276-kilogram (608-pound) tuna, likened in size to a motorbike. This is the fifth consecutive year that Onodera has claimed the top bid, further cementing its reputation and reaping the media spotlight associated with the auction.

Shinji Nagao, an Onodera official, emphasized the symbolic nature of the first tuna auction:

"The first tuna is something meant to bring in good fortune. Our wish is that people will eat this and have a wonderful year."

Last year, Onodera paid 114 million yen for the top tuna.

The highest price ever paid at this auction was 333.6 million yen in 2019 for a slightly heavier 278-kilogram bluefin, secured by Kiyoshi Kimura, famously dubbed the "Tuna King." Kimura operates the Sushi Zanmai chain across Japan.

The record-breaking 2019 bid coincided with the relocation of the fish market from Tsukiji, its historic home, to the modern Toyosu facility.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, tuna auction prices saw a steep decline as restrictions on dining out and reduced restaurant operations impacted the demand. This year’s high bid reflects a recovery in the market and renewed enthusiasm for traditional dining experiences.

Bluefin tuna remains a prized delicacy in Japan, often featured in high-end sushi and sashimi dishes. While the extravagant auction prices generate global headlines, they also highlight concerns over sustainable fishing practices for this critically endangered species.

This year’s sale once again underscores the importance of tradition, fortune, and culinary excellence in Japan’s celebrated fish market auctions.

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