Bluefin Fish Sells for Record Sum of $3.2m at Tokyo New Year Sale

A bulky Pacific bluefin tuna made headlines at the Tokyo's Toyosu fish market this Monday, garnering a historic bid of 510.3 million yen (3.2 million US dollars; £2.4m) during the market's inaugural auction of the calendar year.

The successful offer for the 535-pound fish was placed by the company of a popular sushi restaurant group, which operates outlets throughout Japan and abroad.

"The first tuna signals fortune," remarked the business owner, a notable bidder at the yearly new year's auction.

Known as the Tuna Tycoon, this entrepreneur is renowned for placing high bids for premium bluefin tuna at these symbolic year-opening auctions.

Auction Shock and Record-Setting Past

After the auction, the successful bidder informed reporters that he was "taken aback at the final price," noting, "I expected we would be able to buy it a little at a lower price, but the price soared rapidly."

This new purchase tops his previous historic purchases:

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

Even after previously commenting that he thought he "bid too high," he has now proceeded to break his personal record once again.

A Tradition of High Prices

The first auction at the Tokyo fish market is traditionally known for exorbitant prices. In the prior year, the initial tuna was bought for 207 million yen by a separate food company, which announced the fish would be served at its restaurants throughout the country.

The intense energy at the fish market during these early morning auctions has evolved into a popular event in Tokyo. Monday's auction, which began around 05:00 local time, was equally bustling.

Immediate Consumption

The record-priced tuna was promptly processed for customers at the winner's sushi establishments immediately after the auction was finished.

"I feel like I've commenced the year in a good way after eating something so lucky as the year begins," remarked one happy diner.