Tokyo, Japan – A 608-pound bluefin tuna, roughly the size of a motorcycle, has been sold for an astounding $1.3 million (207 million yen) at Tokyo’s Toyosu fish market. The sale, which took place during the annual New Year auction on January 5, marks the second-highest price recorded since data collection began in 1999.
A Record-Breaking Bid from Michelin-Starred Sushi Group
The prized tuna was secured by the Michelin-starred Sushi Ginza Onodera, a global sushi chain run by the Onodera Group. According to Japanese news agency Kyodo, the group’s winning bid reflects a longstanding tradition of fierce competition among restaurateurs eager to claim the first premium catch of the year.
“The year’s first tuna brings good luck. We want to make people smile with food,” said Shinji Nagao, president of Sushi Onodera, in a statement to Kyodo.
This is the fifth consecutive year that the Onodera Group has dominated the auction, surpassing last year’s bid of over $720,000 (114.2 million yen). The fish, caught off the coast of Oma in Japan’s northeastern Aomori prefecture, is considered one of the finest examples of bluefin tuna, known for its rich flavor and high fat content.
A Fisherman’s Pride
The fisherman responsible for this year’s million-dollar catch, 73-year-old Masahiro Takeuchi, expressed his joy to local media. “I’m unbelievably happy,” he told NHK, Japan’s national broadcaster. Yet, he also voiced concerns about the future of his livelihood, saying, “I’m always worried about how many more years I’ll be able to keep fishing like this.”
A Tradition of High-Stakes Auctions
Toyosu fish market, often hailed as the largest seafood wholesale market in the world, hosts daily auctions that attract vendors and restaurateurs from across Japan. However, the New Year auction holds special significance, offering bidders the chance to showcase their prestige and commitment to excellence in Japanese culinary culture.
The highest price ever recorded at the market came in 2019, when a 278-kilogram bluefin tuna sold for $3.1 million (333.6 million yen). That fish was also caught off the coast of Oma, a region renowned for producing exceptional tuna.
A Fish Under Threat
While these extravagant auctions capture global attention, they also shine a light on the precarious state of bluefin tuna populations. According to the World Wildlife Fund (WWF), bluefin tuna are an endangered species, facing significant population declines due to overfishing and illegal fishing practices.
The species, which can weigh up to 1,500 pounds and grow to 10 feet in length, migrates across all oceans and can live up to 40 years. Conservation efforts are ongoing, but the demand for bluefin tuna, particularly in high-end sushi markets, continues to pose challenges to sustainability.
From Tsukiji to Toyosu: A Legacy Reimagined
Toyosu market, located on a man-made island in Tokyo Bay, replaced the iconic Tsukiji market in 2019. While the relocation introduced state-of-the-art facilities, it was met with mixed reactions, as many mourned the loss of Tsukiji’s historic charm. Despite this, Toyosu has cemented itself as a hub of Japanese seafood commerce and culture.
As this year’s million-dollar bluefin tuna makes its way to the plates of eager sushi lovers, it serves as a reminder of Japan’s rich culinary traditions and the delicate balance between celebrating these practices and protecting the ocean’s fragile ecosystems.
