• Home
  • News
  • Fortune 500
  • Tech
  • Finance
  • Leadership
  • Lifestyle
  • Rankings
  • Multimedia
Japan

A Giant Bluefin Tuna Sold for $3.1 Million in Tokyo

By
Veronica Neto
Veronica Neto
By
Veronica Neto
Veronica Neto
January 6, 2019, 10:03 AM ET
Record-Setting Tuna Auction
Kiyoshi Kimura (R), president of sushi restaurant chain Sushi-Zanmai, displays a 278kg bluefin tuna at his main restaurant in Tokyo on January 5, 2019. TheJapanese sushi entrepreneur paid a record $3.1 million for a giant tuna on January 5 as Tokyo's new fish market, which replaced the world-famous Tsukiji late last year, held its first pre-dawn New Year's auction. (Photo by Kazuhiro NOGI / AFP) (Photo credit should read KAZUHIRO NOGI/AFP/Getty Images)KAZUHIRO NOGI AFP/Getty Images

Japanese sushi restaurant owner Kiyoshi Kimura—otherwise known as the “Tuna King”—paid a record-setting $3.1 million (333.6 million yen) for a giant bluefin tuna at Tokyo’s Toyosu fish market on Saturday.

Kimura’s 2019 purchase surpasses his previous record of 155 million yen at Tokyo’s 2013 New Year’s auction. In 2017, he paid $632,000 for a single bluefin tuna, which was the second highest amount ever paid.

According to Japanese broadcaster NHK, the fish was caught near northern Japan’s Aomori prefecture and weighs in at about 612 pounds (278 kg).

“The tuna looks so tasty because it’s fat and (looks) very fresh. It is a good tuna. But I think I did too much,” Kimura said, as CNN reports.

The sale comes after the closing of Tsukiji wholesale market, a very popular destination spot for Tokyo’s tourists. The largest fish and seafood market in the world closed in October and moved to Toyosu, closer to Tokyo Bay.

About the Author
By Veronica Neto
See full bioRight Arrow Button Icon
Rankings
  • 100 Best Companies
  • Fortune 500
  • Global 500
  • Fortune 500 Europe
  • Most Powerful Women
  • Future 50
  • World’s Most Admired Companies
  • See All Rankings
Sections
  • Finance
  • Leadership
  • Success
  • Tech
  • Asia
  • Europe
  • Environment
  • Fortune Crypto
  • Health
  • Retail
  • Lifestyle
  • Politics
  • Newsletters
  • Magazine
  • Features
  • Commentary
  • Mpw
  • CEO Initiative
  • Conferences
  • Personal Finance
  • Education
Customer Support
  • Frequently Asked Questions
  • Customer Service Portal
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms Of Use
  • Single Issues For Purchase
  • International Print
Commercial Services
  • Advertising
  • Fortune Brand Studio
  • Fortune Analytics
  • Fortune Conferences
  • Business Development
About Us
  • About Us
  • Editorial Calendar
  • Press Center
  • Work At Fortune
  • Diversity And Inclusion
  • Terms And Conditions
  • Site Map

© 2025 Fortune Media IP Limited. All Rights Reserved. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy | CA Notice at Collection and Privacy Notice | Do Not Sell/Share My Personal Information
FORTUNE is a trademark of Fortune Media IP Limited, registered in the U.S. and other countries. FORTUNE may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. Offers may be subject to change without notice.