Pacific Bluefin Tuna Sells for Historic Bid of $3.2 million at Japanese Capital New Year Sale

A bulky bluefin tuna made headlines 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 top offer for the 243kg fish was submitted by the operator of a well-known sushi chain, which operates outlets across the country and internationally.

"An inaugural tuna heralds a prosperous start," stated the entrepreneur, a regular bidder at the traditional January sale.

Known as the Tuna Tycoon, this industry figure is renowned for submitting substantial bids for premium bluefin tuna at these high-profile January auctions.

Bidding Shock and Record-Setting Past

Following the auction, the successful bidder told the press that he was "astonished at the final price," adding, "I had thought we would be able to purchase it a little for less, but the price skyrocketed in no time."

This new acquisition tops his own historic purchases:

• He bid 56.5 million yen away in 2012.
• He bid 155 million yen in 2013.
• In 2019, he won a tuna for 333.6 million yen ($2.1 million).

Despite once saying that he thought he "did too much," he has now managed to break his own record once again.

An Annual Spectacle of High Prices

The first auction at the Toyosu fish market is traditionally associated with sky-high prices. In the prior year, the first tuna was acquired for 207 million yen by a separate culinary group, which stated the fish would be available at its restaurants across Japan.

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

Immediate Consumption

The multi-million-dollar tuna was quickly processed for diners at the entrepreneur's sushi chains immediately after the auction was finished.

"I sense like I've commenced the year in a positive way after consuming something so lucky as the year starts," shared one happy customer.