Sunday May 27, 2012

JAPAN NEWS AND DISCUSSION

Record Y56.49 mil paid for single tuna fish at Tokyo auction

National Jan. 05, 2012 - 08:30PM JST ( 61 )

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61 Comments

0

MaboDofuIsSpicyJan. 05, 2012 - 02:23PM JST

The 269-kilogram bluefin was caught off the coast of northern Aomori Prefecture.

I cannot help but wonder if the fish was swimming towards Fukushima or away from it....

I guess at the cost per slice, he is going to lose money. Send me a slice of Otoro please.
-5

globalwatcherJan. 05, 2012 - 02:45PM JST

Tuna overfishing by Japanese was a big topic in the 60 minutes (CBS) last week. Many negative comments were made by American reporters against Japanese fishing industry.If this overfishing continues, there would be no more Tuna served in Sushi Bar within 10 years. This story reminds me that story again.

Whaling, Tuna., Salmon.. What's next, Japan?
2

sf2kJan. 05, 2012 - 02:45PM JST

When the party's over and Japan has vacuumed the oceans clean of tuna, they'll just move onto another fish. Time for a tuna moratorium until stocks return. That way prices will stay high offsetting the resolve needed to save the tuna. But Japan keeps whaling too, so the logic of reduction doesn't work.

When the tuna are gone and since Japan eats the most tuna Japan will suffer the most, not anyone else. It's like watching a train wreck in slow motion. C'mon Japan, you're better than this. Tuna is a prized dish. Prize it more, and protect it for future generations. Your own.
0

WilliBJan. 05, 2012 - 02:46PM JST

Well, next year will be even more expensive. As the ressources dwindle, the prices goes up. Time to find the next species to eradicate.
-1

spudmanreincarnatedJan. 05, 2012 - 02:47PM JST

Japanese gauche rich excess on display. "Gambare Nippon"? yeah right!

Japan consumes three-quarters of the global catch of bluefin,

But the media portrays China as being greedy.
1

globalwatcherJan. 05, 2012 - 03:00PM JST

But the media portrays China as being greedy.

According to the report by (CBS) , a 80% of world Bluefin Tuna go to Japan, not to China..
5

It"S MEJan. 05, 2012 - 03:01PM JST

Yeah, sure.

Blame the Japanese for native Mediterranean's, etc for over-fishing their own waters(and going against their countries regulations) to supply the growing global market. Never mind that Tuna(Blue Fin) consumption has increased greatly worldwide over the last 10 yrs.

Australian and New Zealand make a killing catching young blue-fin tuna, fattening them in farms and selling the globally. Tuna is very hard to breed in captivity.

Don't hear about overseas people cutting back on Tuna dishes, quiet the opposite.

What do you think the Sushi shops, etc overseas serve?

Ditto for Shark-fin and other foods. You don't know the origin of what gets put on your plate, do you?
-3

spudmanreincarnatedJan. 05, 2012 - 03:08PM JST

Never mind that Tuna(Blue Fin) consumption has increased greatly worldwide over the last 10 yrs.

Is three quarters of a lot less a percentage than three quarters of not as much?. Not sure what your point is there.

Australian and New Zealand make a killing catching young blue-fin tuna, fattening them in farms and selling the globally

Show me one operation in New Zealand.

<>According to the report by (CBS) , a 80% of world Bluefin Tuna go to Japan, not to China The Japanese media is what I meant.
2

KapunaJan. 05, 2012 - 03:18PM JST

This guy has waaay too much money and not enough brains.
4

It"S MEJan. 05, 2012 - 03:45PM JST

spudmanreincarnated.

And 90%% of all shark-fins go to Hong-Kong or are traded via their markets. Ditto for Tuna and Japan, most of the fish is sold while still on the ships as are most goods that are shipped. Most of that Tuna never touches Japanese shores.

Been asking for proof for years(none forthcoming) how 133mill people can consume 80% of the worlds Tuna catch when Tuna is not often served locally in homes. Sure you got the answer.

Ever bought a tin of three-diamond(Mitsubishi) Tuna back home?
0

johninnahaJan. 05, 2012 - 03:49PM JST

I'll have a couple of slices of that, dip them in batter and fry them up.

Go lovely with some chips.
0

serendipitousJan. 05, 2012 - 04:13PM JST

It"S ME

Um, tuna (sashimi-style and canned) seems to be in every supermarket I've been to in Japan.....That would mean people buy it and eat it at home, right? Nothing like a nice bit of chu-toro but I only have it every now and then at a nice sushi restaurant. The next big danger is of course that the Chinese population is starting to like raw fish (and tuna especially).
1

moomoochooJan. 05, 2012 - 04:17PM JST

I'd like to see them test it for radiation.
3

It"S MEJan. 05, 2012 - 04:20PM JST

serendipitous.

We didn't have that much sashimi style 30+yrs ago but canned tuna was a stable where I grew up and readily available as it was in all other countries I visited over the last 3 decades. Not sure what your point is here.

And I agree that the increasing sushi craze will hurt the tuna population(which at the same time will shrink the percentage of tuna consumed in japan as it has done for years).

In the end Japan don't really consume all that much tuna(too pricey), most sushi shops switched from blue-fin to yellow-fin now.
0

nec123aJan. 05, 2012 - 04:27PM JST

I love it where he says: " *“I wanted to win the best tuna so that Japanese customers, not overseas diners, can enjoy it,” * Dxcks like this guy are why the world will soon have no blue fin tuna ..and why I cannot eat it in my own country as it all gets shipped to Japan. Maybe we should go back to daft subsidies for our fishermen, or keep mandatory percentage of the best products for ourselves...

What a twat - $700K for a fish. It is economic lunacy. These people are responsible for raping the commons - and have no idea whatsoever about conserving future stocks.
-4

nec123aJan. 05, 2012 - 04:32PM JST

you are being disingenuous It's me: You k now well that there is a difference between blue-fin and the 2nd, 3rd and 4th grade tuna that people see in the supermarkets or buy in cans.

I would like to know more about the blur fin tuna being caught for fattening in NZ too..... no news of it here!

There is Tuna farming of course.... abit different to what you are suggesting though.

No sorry...tuna is the next whale for Japan.
6

miyazawa3Jan. 05, 2012 - 04:34PM JST

That much they like it.

great..

good for the economy
3

It"S MEJan. 05, 2012 - 04:39PM JST

Your, mine, etc views don't change the facts about the tuna market or the global(bigger one).
0

T_rexmaxytimeJan. 05, 2012 - 04:44PM JST

How much does the guy who bought the tuna make from the tuna?
6

DentShopJan. 05, 2012 - 04:49PM JST

This guy has waaay too much money and not enough brains.

When you are President of an very successful Japanese business in a massively competitive field- then you can decide who has the brains.

What a twat - $700K for a fish. It is economic lunacy.

You dont get it, do you? It is for the publicity - not the fish. From what he did today, hundreds of thousands of people know his name and his company's name. It is hard to get a Kyushu business onto media headlines and he has done it with a smile. Money well spent and his customers are going to be lining up outside the doors to get a slice of this fish.
5

It"S MEJan. 05, 2012 - 04:49PM JST

Most likely more from the news, than the fish itself.

That is a big fish and will provide many, many, many servings of Tuna. If he cuts it up publicly even a bigger income.

Tuna usually sell in the several million yen range here.
5

It"S MEJan. 05, 2012 - 04:55PM JST

All about advertisement.

My local Tapas shop makes the best marinated Tuna ribs, way better than spareribs.

Not all about Otoro, etc either as the best parts aren't used for Sushi.
1

Bgood41Jan. 05, 2012 - 05:30PM JST

Congrats. In spite of taking certain amount of financial lost from selling this tuna in a short term, the buyer makes very smart move for better gain in the future. First, it sounds good to care for local Japanese consumers that satisfy himself a lot for being Japanese. Second, his restaurants chain will get more publicity and customers as it turns out will be a win win situation for all angles. Enjoy your taste:)
-4

CrickyJan. 05, 2012 - 05:31PM JST

Being complicit in the destruction of a resource be it directly through over fishing as Japan admitted to (20 years of doing it) buying the fish (Med) brokering the on sale through J fisheries Agency's (japans 80%) it shows a complete disregard for a sustainable business plan. When it's gone..it's gone and it will be the fault of practices that Japan as a nation has profited from. Of course they will complain it's someone else's fault but isnt that always the case?
-2

sillygirlJan. 05, 2012 - 05:33PM JST

kind of weird seeing this story about a ridiculous sum being paid for a fish right above the story about over half the claimants in the disasters have yet to receive compensation. i know that guy has nothing to do with it - it is just unseemly.
4

It"S MEJan. 05, 2012 - 05:36PM JST

Cricky.

Maybe take the increased Tuna consumption globally into the picture besides hawking figures that are 20+yrs outdated.

And also provide proof that Japan buys all that global tuna for local consumption.' Given the figures most japanese must consume Tuna daily to a large degree, and it aint happening.

If you are in japan you would know how much tuna is consumed daily/per family and the figures don't add up.
4

It"S MEJan. 05, 2012 - 05:40PM JST

sillygirl.

Not all that strange, he was on TV a short while ago and gave his projected earnings after the fish got cut up on TV and tasted by the reporter. He will make more than 4-times what he paid for it.

Capitalism at its peak. ;)
-2

ihope2eatwhalesJan. 05, 2012 - 05:46PM JST

sf2k, the best approach is proper conservation, not absolute protection. I do not expect Japan should fall for the "moratorium" trick again...
-5

CrickyJan. 05, 2012 - 05:51PM JST

Sorry was not clear enough, Japan admitted early last year it had systematically over fished Southern Tuna for 20 years but claimed it could not say by how much, they paid a huge fine. Industry claimed it was a fraction of the profits made from this illegal activity that like Olympus J Fisheries knew about.

You were the one who pointed out the disparity of 80% consumption Vs the population numbers. That statistic is due to the middle man J companies who on sell the fish...thus the 80% consumption figures.

Or is there another theory? Hope that clears it up.
1

DentShopJan. 05, 2012 - 05:56PM JST

He will make more than 4-times what he paid for it.

Well, indirectly through publicity perhaps for the company's sales overall.

If you are suggesting that he might get 200 million Yen for the fish - no chance.
6

It"S MEJan. 05, 2012 - 06:01PM JST

Cricky.

So Japan admitted to overfishing and paid their dues. Libiya, etc overfished by 600% over the last few years as did many other countries and goes back further. Again what is your point and beef?

Many other fishes, sharks, etc are being overfished so why your focus on japan and a few species only.

Japan is not the evil we as humans are, as our greed destroys the world we need to rely on for our own future. And the sooner people globally realise that the better.

Yeah, you can assign blame and to try to lessen your own actions. And that also includes Vegans, Vegetarians, etc. Nice idea for humans not to eat/use animals, try making the other animals in the world follow that line. Will the Lion graze along side the sheep again
3

ihope2eatwhalesJan. 05, 2012 - 06:04PM JST

Cricky, the SBT quota overfishing problem was discovered in 2006, not "last year". The problem in that case was poor regulations, which were consequently overhauled (and Japan agreed to half its quota - Australia currently has the largest quota). The resource remains in an over-fished state, and conservation can rectify it.
-3

genjuroJan. 05, 2012 - 06:07PM JST

That's a lot to pay for mercury-tainted foodstuff.
-7

Moritz KrügerJan. 05, 2012 - 06:12PM JST

Don't hear about overseas people cutting back on Tuna dishes, quiet the opposite.

Actually I do. Thus I remain the right to say: Are Japanese people insane!? Not only are they consuming a species on the brink of extinction but they literally devour it as if it was staple food, obviously completely indifferent or without any awareness of how close they are to wiping out the bluefin tuna. I call for a radical change in quota so that bluefin becomes what it should be: a luxury good.
1

ihope2eatwhalesJan. 05, 2012 - 06:25PM JST

Moritz, Japanese people may be insane but I have to question whether you hear that Australians are also insane, as they catch more SBT than anyone else these days.

Bluefin already is a luxury, by the way. Quotas are set from a perspective of conserving and providing a good chance for the stocks to rebuild, rather than with the objective of making end-products unnecessarily expensive (that would have the unintended side-effect of increasing the incentive to illegally exceed the quotas).
0

WilliBJan. 05, 2012 - 06:43PM JST

globalwatcher:

" According to the report by (CBS) , a 80% of world Bluefin Tuna go to Japan, not to China.. "

That is simply because Japan is still so much richer. As China grows, the balance will rapidly shift towards China. And with 1.5 billion Chinese consumers eventually at Japanese income levels, you have seen nothing yet.

If there are enough ressources in the world to feed that appetite at all is something we will find out.
0

UncleBudahJan. 05, 2012 - 06:50PM JST

People , Its not the Tuna, its publicity, by the way, how much would you pay for a 30 sec ad on Superbowl Commercial ? 5 millions USD?,,,

He got it for less, smart businessman , New years in Japan is Most important Holidays than any other days of the year.

Its Human nature to eat everything around us, Lets enjoy it Now! tomorrow, we might not be alive.

Happy 2012 Everyone!!
-1

CrickyJan. 05, 2012 - 06:59PM JST

It's me its a Japanese news site, and 80% consumption figure that we both have doubts about. Comparing a 3rd world nation to an apparent 1st world nations actions Ok. The lowest common denominator is the bench mark for integrity and actions?
-1

CrickyJan. 05, 2012 - 07:00PM JST

Love the Bible quote by the way.
1

Patrick LaneJan. 05, 2012 - 08:27PM JST

Crazy!
2

Charles M BurnsJan. 05, 2012 - 08:30PM JST

Moomoochoo said:

I'd like to see them test it for radiation.

Shhhh, if you can't see it, then it doesn't exist. And certainly it wouldn't exist in a prize tuna. Hear no evil, see no evil, speak no evil....

Genjuro said:

That's a lot to pay for mercury-tainted foodstuff.

See comment above. And you got TDs for your comment, just shows that people don't want to think about it, or believe it...
2

SerranoJan. 05, 2012 - 09:18PM JST

Y56,490,000 for a fish, eh? Something is worth whatever someone is willing to pay for it.
2

Darren BrannanJan. 05, 2012 - 09:29PM JST

>

“I wanted to win the best tuna so that Japanese customers, not overseas diners, can enjoy it.”

umm..I hardly think the Japanese have been missing out on the best and the worst and everything in between.
2

Darren BrannanJan. 05, 2012 - 09:39PM JST

It's Me..I have actually personally met the guys that farm Tuna in Port Lincoln (here in Japan) and they told me the stories of how they have had to send divers into the tanks and chase great white sharks out.They catch the fry and fatten them up and it does involve a lot of sardine etc as food but is much less damaging than what is happening to the tuna population in the wild, where the damage has and is still being done.The Japanese are working with the Australians in these farming ventures anyway.The guys I met said that the bulk of their sales were direct to supermarkets and not the fish markets perse.
-2

CrickyJan. 05, 2012 - 09:50PM JST

Sorry 2006 admitted it had overfished, so it's not an issue any more my mistake. Japan should continue to "consume" Tuna at this rate and blame other countries when it's gone...nothing like leadership? Ops should have said responsibility. Buy Whaling votes but not for conserving a huge source of food like tuna, it might not be Traditional perhaps? I will continue to eat Tuna as it's not an issue till it's gone...
-2

ExportExpertJan. 05, 2012 - 10:15PM JST

DentShop

This guy has waaay too much money and not enough brains.

When you are President of an very successful Japanese business in a massively competitive field- then you can decide who has the brains.

What a twat - $700K for a fish. It is economic lunacy.

You dont get it, do you? It is for the publicity - not the fish. From what he did today, hundreds of thousands of people know his name and his company's name. It is hard to get a Kyushu business onto media headlines and he has done it with a smile. Money well spent and his customers are going to be lining up outside the doors to get a slice of this fish.

Exact;y it's an advertising stunt, smart man.

“You know, good things like this are appreciated in the whole world,” said 22-year-old male customer Hirotaka Higurashi when asked about the overfishing issue. “There is nothing we can do about it.”

And this goose sums it all up, typical Japanese attitude SHOGUNAI . Cant stop fishing the oceans void of all fish , duh wake up dick wad!
-3

DogJan. 05, 2012 - 10:38PM JST

This 57 million yen Tuna. A lost but glorious age, The Bubble. revisited through a single act which has no connect to the reality of now.

Let the Japanese enjoy their moment of distraction.

Besides this is probably the last year the prized Tuna will go domestic... China from now on.
-1

JannettoJan. 05, 2012 - 11:13PM JST

Why do people like globalwatcher and cricky get thumbs down?? Global fish stocks are in crisis - have none of you read The End of The Line? (or seen the movie if the book's too much effort). Between Japan and the Med countries the oceans are screwed.
0

DentShopJan. 05, 2012 - 11:30PM JST

A lost but glorious age, The Bubble.

Dear God - I wish you had got to the point sooner. A great point, poorly made.
-1

whiskeysourJan. 05, 2012 - 11:39PM JST

For $736,500 for 1 Tuna ???? Around the world people donated money and then they do this ?

Have they forgotten what happened last year ? Business as usual ?

Let's see if I had the money to buy the tuna I would, hmmmmm I have many options:

You can buy 21 2012 Toyota Prius' for the people of Fukushima

You can buy the tuna & donate the money to Fukushima victims

You can treat the Fukushima people 1 piece of sushi to 300 Tohoku disaster refugees

You can give the proceeds to the homeless

You can buy 2 furnished homes with IKEA furniture and give it 2 homeless families with 2 used automobiles to the disaster victims.

You can rent out 2 bedroom apartments to 20 families for 2 years in Chiba / or outside of Tokyo.

This is just half of the ideas I would like to do, if I had money to burn.

If you think about it anyway you can spin this ? It's just a fish.
1

DentShopJan. 05, 2012 - 11:56PM JST

whiskey - you dont know about his guys habits regarding charitable donations. He employs hundreds of people and provides them with an opportunity of a livelihood. That is good enough in my books. I think it would be great if the money were going to a charity of some sort but that is not the Japanese way. This is a very rich nation but you dont see people begging for change or living desperately.

You can treat the Fukushima people 1 piece of sushi

What the heck are you talking about? "Here people, make a line in the cold for a bit of sushi. Let me feed it to you into your mouths with my newly-found ability of chopstick usage...."

Get real.

if I had money to burn.

Yeah - well, yah dont. Go earn said money and deal with the headaches that come with it, report back and tell me that you want to throw your money at used cars or tuna for the homeless.
-1

globalwatcherJan. 06, 2012 - 01:29AM JST

globalwatcher:

According to the report by (CBS) , a 80% of world Bluefin Tuna go to Japan, not to China.. "

That is simply because Japan is still so much richer. As China grows, the balance will rapidly shift towards China. And with 1.5 billion Chinese consumers eventually at Japanese income levels, you have seen nothing yet.

If there are enough ressources in the world to feed that appetite at all is something we will find out.

WilliBJan. 05, 2012 - 06:43PM JST

There should be some kinds of global rules and regulations that need to be addressed and implemented to every country promoting to protect these natural resources.

I believe in a principal of stewardship in environment. We do not own these resources just satisfying our needs today, we need to pass these precious resources on to the many generations to come. .I hope you can join me.
1

UtrackJan. 06, 2012 - 02:28AM JST

That's some high priced fish. I've personally never had Blue Fin Tuna to my knowledge but it must be something. This makes me want to try it a little.
0

malfupeteJan. 06, 2012 - 02:31AM JST

Its a publicity stunt.. but it certainly doesn't do anything to stymie the bluefin catch. How many fishermen next year will be trying to get the largest catch so they can sell it for 60 million yen? It's a never ending circle
0

KariHarukaJan. 06, 2012 - 04:05AM JST

I know silly amounts can be spent at the Tsukiji fish market. But 56.49 million yen? Damn..... Not only is the price impressive but also the size of this big boy. Or should that be was the size of this big boy..
1

sf2kJan. 06, 2012 - 04:18AM JST

given the price it would have been better to put it in a museum so that future generations might be able to guess at the incredible resources that were squandered.
-2

globalwatcherJan. 06, 2012 - 05:07AM JST

Well, this news actually became a news here in US (CNBC) on 1/6 and Americans are very angry over Japanese overfishing Tuna. Within 10 years, when you go to Sushi Bar, you are limited to order two pieces of Tuna sushi per person. Or Japanese need to come to a Museum to see a "Tuna" display leaving nothing for the next generation to eat and survive. Selfish "Me","Me" society is coming to end. Good luck to you guys. We have enough to eat here.
0

supermonk7Jan. 06, 2012 - 10:54AM JST

The tuna has spoken.
0

GurukunJan. 06, 2012 - 02:39PM JST

I just quit my job and going to take up fishing. LOL!
0

Orie MackenzieJan. 06, 2012 - 02:43PM JST

This is not over fishing, It's one fish at a high price. It's a way to let people know they are still strong and ready to do buisness. The Japanese peope are willing to pay top $$$ for quality seafood products.Meaning that Japan is still the top buyers of seafood in the world, even after last years devistating disaster.
0

Darren BrannanJan. 06, 2012 - 06:11PM JST

Guess it all comes down to taste. I like tuna but have eaten maybe 1 canful this year. I find bonito, yellowfin and mackerel so much tastier, personally. The chef gifted me some grilled tuna steak in Niigata 2 days ago and that was my tuna for the year. It was delicious. One day people will be forced to enjoy tuna in the same way but will never get it for free as I did. Tuna will be the 'new whale'.