Bluefin Fish Commands Historic Sum of $3.2 million at Japanese Capital New Year Sale

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

The successful bid for the 535-pound fish was submitted by the company of a nationwide sushi chain, which manages outlets across the country and overseas.

"The first tuna signals fortune," commented the business owner, a regular participant at the traditional new year's auction.

Dubbed the Tuna Tycoon, this industry figure is noted for submitting record bids for premium bluefin tuna at these symbolic year-opening auctions.

Bidding Shock and Record-Setting Past

After the auction, the winner informed the press that he was "astonished at the amount," adding, "I expected we would be able to buy it a little at a lower price, but the price soared before you knew it."

This new purchase tops his own record purchases:

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

Even after previously saying that he thought he "did too much," he has now managed to shatter his personal record once again.

A Tradition of Exorbitant Bids

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

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

Immediate Consumption

The multi-million-dollar tuna was shortly thereafter prepared for diners at the bidder's sushi restaurants soon after the auction ended.

"I feel like I've started the year in a good way after tasting something so lucky as the year gets underway," said one happy customer.