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

A massive bluefin tuna caused a stir 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 market's opening auction of the new year.

The successful offer for the 243-kilogram fish came from the company of a popular sushi chain, which manages restaurants throughout Japan and abroad.

"The first tuna signals good luck," stated the company president, a notable figure at the traditional first sale.

Known as the Tuna King, this entrepreneur is noted for placing high bids for premium bluefin tuna at these high-profile January auctions.

Auction Shock and Record-Setting Past

After the auction, the winner told reporters that he was "surprised at the final price," noting, "I had thought we would be able to buy it a little for less, but the price escalated in no time."

This latest acquisition surpasses his own historic purchases:

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

Even after previously commenting that he thought he "did too much," he has now proceeded to break his personal record another time.

An Annual Spectacle of High Prices

The inaugural auction at the Toyosu fish market is typically known for exorbitant prices. In the prior year, the first tuna was bought for 207 million yen by a different culinary group, which stated the fish would be available at its eateries nationwide.

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

From Auction to Plate

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

"I feel like I've commenced the year in a auspicious way after eating something so fortune-bringing as the year starts," said one elated customer.