Tokyo 2026 New Year Auction: Bluefin Tuna Fetches Record ¥510 Million

A single fish just sold for 510 million yen ($3.2 million). On January 5, 2026, the self-styled "Tuna King" Kiyoshi Kimura reclaimed his throne by shattering all-time records at the prestigious New Year auction in Tokyo's Toyosu fish market.

Inside the 2026 Tokyo Bluefin Tuna Auction

The massive 243-kilogram bluefin tuna, caught off the coast of Oma in Aomori Prefecture, became the most expensive fish in history. The price far exceeded the previous record of 333.6 million yen set in 2019. Kimura, who owns a popular sushi restaurant chain, admitted he was surprised by how high the bidding soared but hoped the "auspicious" catch would energize people for the year ahead.

A Win for Marine Conservation

Beyond the staggering price tag, the auction highlights a surprising ecological success story. According to Dave Gershman from the Pew Charitable Trusts, stocks of Pacific bluefin tuna are recovering after being near collapse. He noted that the recovery plan launched in 2017 is working. Looking forward to the rest of 2026, international fishery managers from Japan, the US, and South Korea are expected to push for long-term sustainable management plans.