News $1.3m tuna sparks hope for Japan's economic recovery

[thomas]

A motorbike-sized bluefin tuna sold for 207 million yen ($1.3 million) at the first fish auction at Toyosu market early Sunday morning. This record-breaking price, the second highest ever, has sparked optimism for Japan's continued economic growth. In recent years, the Toyosu market has become a major tourist destination. The 276-kilogram tuna, caught off the coast of Oma in Aomori Prefecture, was acquired by a joint venture between a wholesale distributor and Sushi Ginza Onodera, a renowned sushi restaurant chain.

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Onodera Group, which had the winning bid, said the tuna - which weighs in at 276kg (608lb) - would be served at its Michelin-starred Ginza Onodera restaurants and Nadaman restaurants across the country. "The first tuna is something meant to bring in good fortune," Onodera official Shinji Nagao told reporters after the auction, news agency AFP reported. Mr Nagao added that he hoped people would eat the tuna - caught off the Aomori region in northern Japan - and "have a wonderful year". The group has paid the top price in the Ichiban Tuna auction for five years straight. Last year, it forked out 114m yen for the top tuna. The highest auction price since comparable records began in 1999 was 333.6m yen in 2019 for a 278kg bluefin. It was paid by self-styled Japanese "Tuna King" and sushi restaurant owner Kiyoshi Kimura.

Tuna fetching $1.3 mil. in New Year auction fuels Japan economy hopes

A bluefin tuna fetched 207 million yen ($1.3 million) during the year's first auction at a popular fish market in Tokyo, the second highest price on record and fueling hopes for a continued economic recovery in Japan.

english.kyodonews.net

Motorbike-sized tuna sold to Tokyo sushi restaurateurs for $1.3m

The huge bluefin, which was auctioned in Tokyo, will be served at restaurants across Japan.

www.bbc.com

 

[Lothor]

The difference between the BBC report and the Kyodo report is interesting. The BBC report states the facts. The Kyodo report, as is often the case, uses the high cost of the tuna to put a positive spin on the economy. Inflation and the existence of an upper class willing to pay through the nose for high-quality products probably explain the high price of the fish rather than a recovering economy, but Kyodo can't help cheerleading.

 

[thomas]

I'm glad someone actually reads some of the articles we post.