Pacific Bluefin Tuna Fetches Record Bid of 3.2 million dollars at Tokyo New Year Sale

A massive bluefin tuna caused a stir at the Toyosu fish market this Monday, achieving a unprecedented bid of 510.3 million yen ($3.2 million; £2.4m) during the market's first auction of the calendar year.

The successful bid for the 243kg fish was placed by the parent firm of a nationwide sushi chain, which manages restaurants domestically and abroad.

"The year's tuna signals a prosperous start," stated the business owner, a regular participant at the traditional January sale.

Referred to as the Tuna Tycoon, this businessman is renowned for placing high bids for bluefin tuna at these high-profile new year auctions.

Auction Surprise and Historic Past

After the auction, the winner informed reporters that he was "taken aback at the final price," adding, "I expected we would be able to purchase it a little cheaper, but the price soared rapidly."

This new purchase surpasses his previous record purchases:

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

Even after previously commenting that he thought he "did too much," he has now gone on to surpass his own record another time.

A Tradition of Exorbitant Bids

The inaugural auction at the Toyosu fish market is traditionally associated with exceptionally high prices. In the prior year, the first tuna was acquired for 207 million yen by a separate food company, which stated the fish would be featured at its restaurants across Japan.

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

From Auction to Plate

The multi-million-dollar tuna was shortly thereafter processed for patrons at the winner's sushi restaurants soon after the auction concluded.

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