Pacific Bluefin Tuna Commands Unprecedented Sum of $3.2m at Tokyo New Year Sale

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

The top bid for the 243-kilogram fish was submitted by the parent firm of a popular sushi chain, which operates restaurants across the country and abroad.

"The year's tuna signals good luck," stated the entrepreneur, a notable figure at the annual January sale.

Known as the King of Tuna, this businessman is famous for placing high bids for premium bluefin tuna at these high-profile new year auctions.

Auction Surprise and Record-Setting Precedent

After the auction, the winner admitted to reporters that he was "surprised at the final price," noting, "I had thought we would be able to acquire it a little for less, but the price skyrocketed before you knew it."

This new acquisition tops his own historic purchases:

• He paid 56.5 million yen away in 2012.
• He paid 155 million yen the following year.
• In 2019, he won a tuna for 333.6 million yen ($2.1 million).

Even after once remarking that he thought he "bid too high," he has now managed to shatter his own record once again.

An Annual Spectacle of Exorbitant Bids

The opening auction at the Tokyo fish market is traditionally associated with sky-high prices. The previous year, the first tuna was acquired for 207 million yen by another food company, which announced the fish would be served at its locations nationwide.

The high-energy energy at the fish market during these early morning auctions has evolved into a major event in Tokyo. Monday's auction, which began around 05:00 local time, was no exception.

Swift Service

The record-priced tuna was quickly sliced up for patrons at the bidder's sushi restaurants immediately after the auction ended.

"I sense like I've begun the year in a good way after tasting something so auspicious as the year begins," shared one elated diner.