Crazy Japanese person pays record €574k for a single bluefin tuna

Japan has solidified its well-earned reputation as the maddest country in the world after a sushi tycoon paid a record ¥56.49 million (€574,000) for a single bluefin tuna. Yes... tuna.

In Tokyo's first fish auction of the year, Kiyoshi Kimura, owner of the Sushi Zanmai chain won his prized 269kg tuna with an incredible bid that was apparently deliberately high to beat the previous record set last year by a Hong Kong sushi chef.

“I wanted to win the best tuna so that Japanese customers, not ones from abroad, could enjoy it,” said Kimura, trying desperately hard to justify his off the scale spending.

"Japan has been through a lot in the last year due to the disaster," Kimura told AP Television News afterwards. "Japan needs to hang in there. So I tried hard myself and ended up buying the most expensive one."

Japanese consumers account for 80% of all bluefins caught in the world, with many calling for increased quotas to protect the fish - which is considered the most sought-after dish for sushi lovers.

So is Kimura a national hero of sorts or just a guy with far, far too money? Let us know what you think in the comments section below.