The annual prestigious new year auction at the Tokyo fish market saw a Michelin-starred sushi restaurant, the Onodera Group, emerge as the top bidder, paying a staggering $1.3 million for a 608-pound bluefin tuna. This hefty price tag marks the second highest amount ever paid at the auction since 1999.

The Onodera Group has now secured the top spot for five consecutive years, earning bragging rights and significant media attention in Japan. "The first tuna is something meant to bring in good fortune," Onodera official Shinji Nagao remarked after the auction. "Our wish is that people will eat this and have a wonderful year."

While the Onodera Group paid a hefty sum this year, the record for the highest auction price remains at 333.6 million yen, set in 2019 by Kiyoshi Kimura, the self-proclaimed "Tuna King" and owner of the Sushi Zanmai restaurant chain.

The COVID-19 pandemic had a significant impact on the new year tuna auctions, with prices dropping considerably due to discouraged dining out and limited restaurant operations. However, the Pacific bluefin tuna population has shown signs of recovery in recent years, exceeding international targets ahead of schedule.