Bluefin Tuna Fetches Historic Price of $3.2 million at Tokyo New Year Sale

A massive bluefin tuna created waves at the Tokyo's Toyosu fish market this Monday, securing a record-breaking bid of 510.3 million yen (3.2 million US dollars; £2.4m) during the venue's first auction of the calendar year.

The successful bid for the 243kg fish came from the company of a popular sushi chain, which operates outlets throughout Japan and abroad.

"The first tuna heralds a prosperous start," stated the company president, a familiar participant at the annual new year's auction.

Known as the King of Tuna, this businessman is noted for submitting substantial bids for premium bluefin tuna at these high-profile January auctions.

Auction Shock and Historic Precedent

After the auction, the winner told journalists that he was "taken aback at the winning bid," stating, "I expected we would be able to acquire it a little for less, but the price soared rapidly."

This latest acquisition tops his previous historic purchases:

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

Even after previously remarking that he thought he "did too much," he has now managed to break his own record yet again.

An Annual Spectacle of Exorbitant Bids

The opening auction at the Toyosu fish market is typically associated with exceptionally high prices. Last year, the first tuna was purchased for 207 million yen by a separate sushi chain operator, which indicated the fish would be available at its restaurants nationwide.

The intense atmosphere at the fish market during these early morning auctions has become a major spectacle in Tokyo. Monday's auction, which started around 05:00 local time, was no exception.

Swift Service

The multi-million-dollar tuna was shortly thereafter sliced up for diners at the bidder's sushi chains immediately after the auction was finished.

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