Bluefin Fish Commands Historic Price of $3.2m at Tokyo New Year Sale

A massive Pacific bluefin tuna made headlines at the Tokyo's Toyosu fish market this Monday, garnering a unprecedented bid of 510.3 million yen (3.2 million US dollars; £2.4m) during the venue's inaugural auction of the new year.

The top bid for the 535-pound fish came from the parent firm of a well-known sushi chain, which operates restaurants domestically and abroad.

"An inaugural tuna heralds fortune," commented the company president, a regular figure at the traditional first sale.

Referred to as the Tuna Tycoon, this entrepreneur is noted for submitting substantial bids for bluefin tuna at these auspicious January auctions.

Bidding Shock and Record-Setting Past

Following the auction, the winner told the press that he was "taken aback at the winning bid," adding, "I had thought we would be able to buy it a little at a lower price, but the price soared rapidly."

This latest purchase surpasses his own notable purchases:

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

Despite previously commenting that he thought he "bid too high," he has now proceeded to break his personal record once again.

A Tradition of Exorbitant Bids

The opening auction at the Toyosu fish market is traditionally associated with exorbitant prices. The previous year, the initial tuna was acquired for 207 million yen by a separate sushi chain operator, which announced the fish would be featured at its locations throughout the country.

The high-energy atmosphere at the fish market during these pre-dawn auctions has become a major spectacle in Tokyo. Monday's auction, which commenced around 05:00 local time, was no different.

Swift Service

The multi-million-dollar tuna was quickly processed for customers at the winner's sushi establishments shortly after the auction ended.

"I believe like I've begun the year in a good way after eating something so lucky as the year gets underway," said one satisfied patron.