Bluefin Tuna Fetches Historic Sum of $3.2 million at Japanese Capital New Year Sale

A massive Pacific bluefin tuna created waves at the Tokyo's Toyosu fish market this Monday, achieving a unprecedented bid of 510.3 million yen ($3.2 million; £2.4m) during the venue's inaugural auction of the year.

The successful bid for the 243-kilogram fish was placed by the operator of a nationwide sushi restaurant group, which runs locations throughout Japan and abroad.

"The first tuna signals fortune," remarked the company president, a regular bidder at the traditional first sale.

Known as the Tuna King, this industry figure is famous for making record bids for premium bluefin tuna at these high-profile year-opening auctions.

Bidding Shock and Historic Precedent

Following the auction, the winner admitted to journalists that he was "taken aback at the amount," adding, "I expected we would be able to purchase it a little for less, but the price soared rapidly."

This latest acquisition surpasses his own historic purchases:

• He secured a tuna for 56.5 million yen back in 2012.
• He spent 155 million yen a year later.
• In 2019, he won a tuna for 333.6 million yen (2.1 million dollars).

Despite once saying that he thought he "bid too high," he has now managed to break his own record another time.

An Annual Spectacle of High Prices

The inaugural auction at the Toyosu fish market is traditionally known for exorbitant prices. In the prior year, the first tuna was purchased for 207 million yen by another culinary group, which stated the fish would be available at its eateries throughout the country.

The frenetic activity at the fish market during these early morning auctions has transformed into a major tourist attraction in Tokyo. Monday's auction, which commenced around 05:00 local time, was equally bustling.

Swift Service

The multi-million-dollar tuna was promptly prepared for customers at the winner's sushi restaurants soon after the auction ended.

"I sense like I've begun the year in a good way after consuming something so fortune-bringing as the year starts," said one happy diner.