Japanese Sushi Company Makes a New World Record for the Most Expensive Tuna (CEFR Compare)

Apr 25, 2026, 03:46

Japanese Sushi Company Makes a New World Record for the Most Expensive Tuna

Introduction

Kiyomura Corp. is a company. It runs the Sushizanmai sushi restaurants. The company bought a very expensive tuna fish. It paid 510.3 million yen. That is about 4.08 million dollars. This was at a fish market in Tokyo. The market is called Toyosu. This was the first big sale of the year 2026. The company now has a new Guinness World Record.

Main Body

The tuna was big. It weighed 243 kilograms. It came from the sea near Oma in Aomori. The company bought it on January 5, 2026. Then workers cut the fish at the Tsukiji shop. They sent the fish to Sushizanmai restaurants all over Japan. The company president is Kiyoshi Kimura. He got a certificate from Guinness World Records on April 20. He said the company wants to sell good tuna every year. This is the second time the company has a world record. The first time was in 2013. Then they paid 155.4 million yen for a tuna. The price of tuna at these sales is going up. In 2023, the top price was 36 million yen. In 2024, it was 114 million yen. In 2025, it was 270 million yen. The 2026 price is the highest since 1999. Paying a lot of money at the first sale of the year is a tradition in Japan. People think it brings good luck. It also helps restaurants get attention. Many tourists also come to watch the early morning tuna sales.

Conclusion

Kiyomura Corp. has a new world record for the most expensive tuna. The prices at the first tuna sale of the year are going up. This tradition is important for culture and for business in the sushi industry.

Vocabulary Learning

company (n.)

business / an organization that makes or sells things公司

Example:Kiyomura Corp. is a company that runs sushi restaurants.

expensive (adj.)

costing a lot of money / having a high price昂貴的

Example:The tuna was very expensive; it cost 510 million yen.

market (n.)

a place where people buy and sell goods / a public place for trade市場

Example:The fish market is called Toyosu in Tokyo.

price (n.)

the amount of money you pay for something / cost價格

Example:The price of tuna is going up every year.

tradition (n.)

a custom or belief that is passed from generation to generation / a long-established way of doing something傳統

Example:Paying a lot of money at the first sale of the year is a tradition in Japan.

Sentence Learning

The company now has a new Guinness World Record.

Time Marker: The word 'now' shows the present time.「now」這個詞表示現在的時間。

The company bought it on January 5, 2026.

Time Marker: The phrase 'on January 5, 2026' tells the specific date of the action.「on January 5, 2026」這個短語說明了行動的具體日期。

It came from the sea near Oma in Aomori.

Prepositional Phrase: The phrases 'from the sea', 'near Oma', and 'in Aomori' show the origin and location.「from the sea」、「near Oma」和「in Aomori」這些短語顯示了來源和位置。

Then workers cut the fish at the Tsukiji shop.

Prepositional Phrase: The phrase 'at the Tsukiji shop' tells where the cutting happened.「at the Tsukiji shop」這個短語說明了切割發生的地點。

This tradition is important for culture and for business in the sushi industry.

Basic Connector: The word 'and' connects two ideas: 'for culture' and 'for business'.「and」這個詞連接了兩個想法：「for culture」和「for business」。

Japanese Sushi Chain Operator Sets Guinness World Record for Most Expensive Tuna at Auction

Introduction

Kiyomura Corp., the operator of the Sushizanmai sushi chain, has set a new Guinness World Record for the most expensive tuna purchased at auction. The record came after a bid of ¥510.3 million (approximately $4.08 million or $3.2 million, depending on the exchange rate) at the first auction of 2026 at Tokyo's Toyosu fish market.

Main Body

The record-setting bluefin tuna, weighing 243 kilograms, was caught off the coast of Oma in Aomori Prefecture, northeastern Japan. The purchase took place on January 5, 2026, at the Toyosu market's annual New Year auction. The fish was then processed at Sushizanmai's main Tsukiji outlet and distributed to its restaurants across the country. Kiyomura President Kiyoshi Kimura received the Guinness World Records certificate at a ceremony at the chain's main outlet on April 20. He stated that the company intends to continue offering high-quality tuna in future years. This achievement marks the second Guinness World Record for Kiyomura Corp. The company previously held the title for a bluefin tuna bought for ¥155.4 million at the first auction of 2013. According to data from the Tokyo Metropolitan Government, the 2026 winning bid is the highest recorded since comparable records became available in 1999. Furthermore, the trend of top bids at these annual auctions has shown a sharp increase: from ¥36 million in 2023, to ¥114 million in 2024, and ¥270 million in 2025. The practice of making large bids at the year's first auction has become a long-standing tradition among Japanese bidders. Participants see the event as a source of good luck and an opportunity for restaurants to get publicity. In addition, watching the early-morning tuna auctions from the market's observation deck has become a major tourist attraction.

Conclusion

Kiyomura Corp. has secured a second Guinness World Record for the most expensive tuna at auction. This reflects a broader trend of increasing bids at Tokyo's first tuna auction of the year, which serves both as a cultural tradition and a marketing opportunity for the sushi industry.

Vocabulary Learning

achievement (n.)

something that has been done successfully, especially through hard work成就；成績

Example:This achievement marks the second Guinness World Record for the company.

bid (n.)

an offer to pay a particular amount of money for something出價；投標

Example:The company made a record bid of ¥510.3 million for the tuna.

distribute (v.)

to give something out to several people or places分發；分配

Example:The fish was distributed to Sushizanmai's restaurants across the country.

intend (v.)

to have a plan or purpose in mind打算；計劃

Example:The company intends to continue offering high-quality tuna.

publicity (n.)

the attention that someone or something gets from newspapers, television, etc.宣傳；關注

Example:The auction is an opportunity for restaurants to get publicity.

Sentence Learning

This achievement marks the second Guinness World Record for Kiyomura Corp., which previously held the title for a bluefin tuna bought for ¥155.4 million at the first auction of 2013.

Relative clause with 'which': This sentence uses a non-defining relative clause introduced by 'which' to provide additional information about Kiyomura Corp. The clause 'which previously held the title...' adds background without restricting the meaning. This helps organize ideas by adding extra details in a separate clause.此句使用由 'which' 引導的非限定性關係從句，為 Kiyomura Corp. 提供額外資訊。從句 'which previously held the title...' 補充背景，不限制主句意思。這有助於以獨立從句添加細節，組織想法。

The record-setting bluefin tuna, weighing 243 kilograms, was caught off the coast of Oma in Aomori Prefecture, northeastern Japan.

Passive voice: The passive voice 'was caught' shifts focus from the doer (the fisherman) to the action and the object (the tuna). This is common in formal reporting to emphasize the event rather than the agent. The present participle phrase 'weighing 243 kilograms' adds description.被動語態 'was caught' 將焦點從動作執行者（漁民）轉移到動作本身和受詞（吞拿魚）。這在正式報導中常見，強調事件而非執行者。現在分詞片語 'weighing 243 kilograms' 補充描述。

The fish was then processed at Sushizanmai's main Tsukiji outlet and distributed to its restaurants across the country.

Passive voice with coordinated verbs: The passive construction 'was processed and distributed' uses two past participles connected by 'and'. This shows a sequence of actions performed on the fish, keeping the subject (the fish) consistent and the focus on the process.被動結構 'was processed and distributed' 使用兩個過去分詞，以 'and' 連接。這顯示對魚進行的連續動作，保持主語（魚）一致，並聚焦於過程。

Furthermore, the trend of top bids at these annual auctions has shown a sharp increase: from ¥36 million in 2023, to ¥114 million in 2024, and ¥270 million in 2025.

Linking word 'Furthermore': 'Furthermore' is a formal linking adverb used to add supporting information. It signals that the following statement builds on the previous one, helping to structure arguments logically. The colon introduces a list illustrating the increase.'Furthermore' 是正式連接副詞，用於添加支持資訊。它表示後續陳述基於前文，有助於邏輯地組織論點。冒號引出列表，說明增長情況。

In addition, watching the early-morning tuna auctions from the market's observation deck has become a major tourist attraction.

Linking phrase 'In addition': 'In addition' is a linking phrase that introduces an extra point. It connects the idea of the auction as a tradition and as a tourist attraction, showing multiple aspects. The gerund phrase 'watching...' acts as the subject.'In addition' 是連接片語，引入額外觀點。它將拍賣作為傳統和旅遊景點的概念聯繫起來，展示多方面。動名詞片語 'watching...' 充當主語。

Japanese Sushi Chain Operator Sets Guinness World Record for Most Expensive Tuna at Auction

Introduction

Kiyomura Corp., the operator of the Sushizanmai sushi chain, has established a new Guinness World Record for the most expensive tuna purchased at auction, following a bid of ¥510.3 million (approximately $4.08 million or $3.2 million, depending on the exchange rate used) at the first auction of 2026 at Tokyo's Toyosu fish market.

Main Body

The record-setting bluefin tuna, weighing 243 kilograms, was caught off the coast of Oma in Aomori Prefecture, northeastern Japan. The purchase occurred on January 5, 2026, at the Toyosu market's annual New Year auction. The fish was subsequently processed at Sushizanmai's main Tsukiji outlet and distributed to its restaurants nationwide. Kiyomura President Kiyoshi Kimura received the Guinness World Records certificate at a ceremony at the chain's main outlet on April 20, stating the company's intention to continue offering high-quality tuna in future years. This achievement marks the second Guinness World Record for Kiyomura Corp., which previously held the title for a bluefin tuna bought for ¥155.4 million at the first auction of 2013. According to data from the Tokyo Metropolitan Government, the 2026 winning bid is the highest recorded since comparable records became available in 1999. The trajectory of top bids at these annual auctions has shown a sharp increase: from ¥36 million in 2023, to ¥114 million in 2024, and ¥270 million in 2025. The practice of making substantial bids at the year's first auction has become an established tradition among Japanese bidders. Participants view the event as a source of good fortune and an opportunity for restaurants to generate publicity. Additionally, observing the early-morning tuna auctions from the market's observation deck has become a major tourist attraction.

Conclusion

Kiyomura Corp. has secured a second Guinness World Record for the most expensive tuna at auction, reflecting a broader trend of escalating bids at Tokyo's first tuna auction of the year, which serves both as a cultural tradition and a marketing opportunity for the sushi industry.

Vocabulary Learning

comparable (adj.)

able to be likened to another; similar in quality or quantity可比較的；類似的

Example:the highest recorded since comparable records became available in 1999.

escalating (adj.)

becoming greater or more serious; rising逐步升級的；不斷加劇的

Example:reflecting a broader trend of escalating bids at Tokyo's first tuna auction of the year.

secure (v.)

to obtain or achieve something, especially with effort獲得；取得

Example:Kiyomura Corp. has secured a second Guinness World Record for the most expensive tuna at auction.

substantial (adj.)

of considerable importance, size, or worth大量的；可觀的

Example:The practice of making substantial bids at the year's first auction has become an established tradition.

trajectory (n.)

the curved path of an object moving through space, or a course of development over time軌跡；發展軌道

Example:The trajectory of top bids at these annual auctions has shown a sharp increase.

Sentence Learning

Reduced Relative Clause: The sentence contains a reduced relative clause 'purchased at auction' (omitting 'that was') modifying 'tuna'. It also features an appositive phrase 'the operator of the Sushizanmai sushi chain' and a participial phrase 'following a bid...' acting as an adverbial. The parenthetical insert adds further complexity.句子包含簡化關係子句「purchased at auction」（省略了「that was」）修飾「tuna」。同時有同位語片語「the operator of the Sushizanmai sushi chain」和分詞片語「following a bid...」作狀語。括號內的插入語增加了句子的複雜性。

This achievement marks the second Guinness World Record for Kiyomura Corp., which previously held the title for a bluefin tuna bought for ¥155.4 million at the first auction of 2013.

Non-restrictive Relative Clause: The relative clause 'which previously held the title...' provides non-essential information about Kiyomura Corp., set off by commas. Within it, 'bought for ¥155.4 million' is a reduced relative clause modifying 'tuna'.非限制性關係子句：關係子句「which previously held the title...」提供關於Kiyomura Corp.的非必要資訊，以逗號分隔。其中「bought for ¥155.4 million」是簡化關係子句，修飾「tuna」。

According to data from the Tokyo Metropolitan Government, the 2026 winning bid is the highest recorded since comparable records became available in 1999.

Fronted Adverbial: The sentence opens with the prepositional phrase 'According to data from the Tokyo Metropolitan Government', setting the source before the main clause. 'Recorded' is a reduced relative clause (the highest bid that has been recorded). The 'since' clause introduces a temporal subordinate clause.句首狀語：句子以介詞片語「According to data from the Tokyo Metropolitan Government」開頭，在主句之前設定來源。「recorded」是簡化關係子句（the highest bid that has been recorded）。「since」子句引入時間從屬子句。

The practice of making substantial bids at the year's first auction has become an established tradition among Japanese bidders.

Nominalization: The subject 'The practice of making substantial bids' is a nominalized phrase where the verb 'make' is transformed into a gerund 'making' within a noun phrase. This allows the action to be treated as a concept, adding formality and lexical density.名詞化：主語「The practice of making substantial bids」是一個名詞化片語，動詞「make」轉化為動名詞「making」置於名詞片語中。這使得動作被視為概念，增加了正式性和詞彙密度。

Participial Phrase and Relative Clause: The participial phrase 'reflecting a broader trend...' modifies the entire preceding clause, indicating a result. The relative clause 'which serves both as...' provides additional information about 'Tokyo's first tuna auction'. The correlative conjunctions 'both...and...' create parallel structure.分詞片語和關係子句：分詞片語「reflecting a broader trend...」修飾整個前句，表示結果。關係子句「which serves both as...」提供關於「Tokyo's first tuna auction」的額外資訊。關聯連詞「both...and...」構成平行結構。