Pacific Bluefin Tuna Sells for Record Sum of 3.2 million dollars at Tokyo New Year Sale

A substantial bluefin tuna made headlines at the Toyosu fish market this Monday, garnering a historic bid of 510.3 million yen ($3.2 million; £2.4m) during the venue's opening auction of the year.

The top offer for the 243kg fish came from the company of a well-known sushi chain, which manages outlets across the country and internationally.

"The first tuna signals fortune," commented the entrepreneur, a regular bidder at the yearly January sale.

Referred to as the Tuna King, this businessman is noted for placing substantial bids for premium bluefin tuna at these high-profile new year auctions.

Bidding Shock and Historic Precedent

Following the auction, the winner admitted to journalists that he was "astonished at the winning bid," adding, "I expected we would be able to purchase it a little cheaper, but the price escalated in no time."

This new acquisition surpasses his own notable purchases:

• He secured a tuna for 56.5 million yen back in 2012.
• He paid 155 million yen in 2013.
• In 2019, he purchased a tuna for 333.6 million yen ($2.1m).

Despite previously remarking that he thought he "overdid it," he has now managed to surpass his personal record another time.

An Annual Spectacle of Exorbitant Bids

The opening auction at the Toyosu fish market is traditionally associated with exceptionally high prices. The previous year, the first tuna was purchased for 207 million yen by another culinary group, which announced the fish would be featured at its locations throughout the country.

The frenetic atmosphere at the fish market during these pre-dawn auctions has evolved into a must-see event in Tokyo. Monday's auction, which commenced around 05:00 local time, was no different.

Swift Service

The record-priced tuna was quickly processed for patrons at the entrepreneur's sushi restaurants shortly after the auction was finished.

"I feel like I've begun the year in a positive way after eating something so lucky as the year starts," shared one elated patron.