Pacific Bluefin Tuna Sells for Unprecedented Price of $3.2m at Tokyo New Year Sale

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

The successful offer for the 535-pound fish was submitted by the operator of a nationwide sushi chain, which manages restaurants throughout Japan and abroad.

"The first tuna brings fortune," remarked the business owner, a regular bidder at the traditional new year's auction.

Known as the King of Tuna, this businessman is renowned for placing substantial bids for bluefin tuna at these auspicious January auctions.

Bidding Shock and Historic Past

After the auction, the successful bidder informed the press that he was "taken aback at the final price," noting, "I had thought we would be able to purchase it a little at a lower price, but the price soared before you knew it."

This most recent purchase tops his own record purchases:

• He bid 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 ($2.1m).

Despite once saying that he thought he "did too much," he has now managed to surpass his personal record yet again.

A Tradition of High Prices

The first auction at the Tokyo fish market is typically associated with exorbitant prices. The previous year, the first tuna was purchased for 207 million yen by another culinary group, which stated the fish would be featured at its restaurants throughout the country.

The intense activity at the fish market during these early morning auctions has transformed into a must-see event in Tokyo. Monday's auction, which began around 05:00 local time, was no different.

Immediate Consumption

The extremely valuable tuna was promptly processed for patrons at the bidder's sushi chains immediately after the auction concluded.

"I sense like I've commenced the year in a good way after tasting something so fortune-bringing as the year gets underway," remarked one satisfied customer.