Bluefin Tuna Commands Historic Sum of $3.2 million at Tokyo New Year Sale

A massive Pacific bluefin tuna created waves at the Toyosu fish market this Monday, securing a historic bid of 510.3 million yen ($3.2m; £2.4m) during the market's opening auction of the calendar year.

The successful bid for the 243-kilogram fish was placed by the company of a popular sushi chain, which operates locations throughout Japan and internationally.

"The year's tuna signals good luck," commented the company president, a notable bidder at the traditional January sale.

Referred to as the King of Tuna, this businessman is renowned for submitting high bids for premium bluefin tuna at these auspicious year-opening auctions.

Bidding Surprise and Historic Past

After the auction, the successful bidder informed journalists that he was "astonished at the winning bid," stating, "I believed we would be able to purchase it a little for less, but the price skyrocketed before you knew it."

This most recent purchase tops his own notable purchases:

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

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

A Tradition of High Prices

The first auction at the Toyosu fish market is typically known for sky-high prices. The previous year, the first tuna was purchased for 207 million yen by a separate sushi chain operator, which indicated the fish would be featured at its restaurants throughout the country.

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

Swift Service

The record-priced tuna was promptly processed for diners at the bidder's sushi chains immediately after the auction ended.

"I believe like I've begun the year in a good way after tasting something so auspicious as the year begins," said one happy diner.