Michelin-starred sushi restaurant operator Onodera Group and Japanese wholesaler Yamayuki forked out ¥36.04 million (US$273,000) for the 212kg bluefin tuna in the auction at Tokyo's Toyosu fish market.
The figure was still only a fraction of the 2019 record price but marks a recovery for the symbolic auction after three years in which prices slumped.
"It has all the qualities of a good tuna," sushi master and Onodera head chef Akifumi Sakagami told reporters after the auction.
"We have had years of gloom (during the pandemic). I hope that we can deliver happiness to everyone by using opportunities like this."
Last year's top-selling tuna, bought by the same pair of bidders, went for just ¥16.88 million, with observers blaming subdued demand as a COVID-19 wave ripped through Japan in early 2022.
The New Year auction is highly anticipated, and securing the top-priced tuna offers bidders bragging rights.
For years, the top bid came from self-proclaimed "Tuna King" Kiyoshi Kimura, who paid a record US$3.1 million in 2019.
But in recent years, Kimura has held back, citing the pandemic.
Source: AFP/kg
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