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

A substantial Pacific bluefin tuna made headlines at the 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 first auction of the new year.

The successful offer for the 243kg fish was submitted by the company of a well-known sushi restaurant group, which manages outlets domestically and internationally.

"An inaugural tuna heralds fortune," commented the entrepreneur, a familiar figure at the traditional new year's auction.

Referred to as the Tuna King, this industry figure is noted for placing substantial bids for premium bluefin tuna at these auspicious year-opening auctions.

Bidding Surprise and Record-Setting Precedent

After the auction, the winner informed journalists that he was "astonished at the amount," adding, "I expected we would be able to buy it a little for less, but the price skyrocketed in no time."

This new purchase tops his previous historic purchases:

• He secured a tuna for 56.5 million yen back in 2012.
• He bid 155 million yen in 2013.
• In 2019, he purchased a tuna for 333.6 million yen ($2.1m).

Even after previously saying that he thought he "bid too high," he has now managed to surpass his personal record yet again.

An Annual Spectacle of High Prices

The inaugural auction at the Tokyo fish market is typically known for exceptionally high prices. The previous year, the initial tuna was acquired for 207 million yen by another sushi chain operator, which announced the fish would be served at its restaurants across Japan.

The high-energy atmosphere at the fish market during these pre-sunrise auctions has transformed into a must-see tourist attraction in Tokyo. Monday's auction, which commenced around 05:00 local time, was no exception.

Swift Service

The record-priced tuna was promptly sliced up for customers at the winner's sushi restaurants shortly after the auction concluded.

"I sense like I've started the year in a auspicious way after consuming something so auspicious as the year starts," shared one satisfied patron.