Bluefin Tuna Fetches Record Bid of $3.2m at Japanese Capital New Year Sale

A bulky Pacific bluefin tuna caused a stir at the Tokyo's Toyosu fish market this Monday, achieving a record-breaking bid of 510.3 million yen ($3.2m; £2.4m) during the venue's inaugural auction of the year.

The top offer for the 535-pound fish came from the operator of a well-known sushi chain, which runs restaurants domestically and internationally.

"The first tuna brings fortune," remarked the business owner, a regular figure at the annual first sale.

Known as the Tuna King, this businessman is noted for making substantial bids for bluefin tuna at these symbolic new year auctions.

Auction Surprise and Record-Setting Precedent

Following the auction, the winner admitted to the press that he was "taken aback at the winning bid," stating, "I believed we would be able to purchase it a little cheaper, but the price escalated before you knew it."

This most recent purchase tops his previous notable purchases:

• He secured a tuna for 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 saying that he thought he "did too much," he has now proceeded to break his personal record once again.

An Annual Spectacle of High Prices

The first auction at the Toyosu fish market is typically known for sky-high prices. In the prior year, the first tuna was purchased for 207 million yen by another food company, which indicated the fish would be served at its locations across Japan.

The frenetic energy at the fish market during these early morning auctions has become a major tourist attraction in Tokyo. Monday's auction, which began around 05:00 local time, was no exception.

Immediate Consumption

The multi-million-dollar tuna was shortly thereafter processed for patrons at the bidder's sushi establishments immediately after the auction was finished.

"I sense like I've commenced the year in a positive way after consuming something so fortune-bringing as the year begins," said one elated customer.