Bluefin Tuna Sells for Historic Price of $3.2m at Japanese Capital New Year Sale

A bulky bluefin tuna caused a stir at the Toyosu fish market this Monday, garnering a record-breaking bid of 510.3 million yen (3.2 million US dollars; £2.4m) during the market's first auction of the year.

The successful bid for the 243-kilogram fish was submitted by the parent firm of a popular sushi chain, which operates locations throughout Japan and internationally.

"The first tuna signals good luck," commented the entrepreneur, a regular bidder at the yearly January sale.

Referred to as the King of Tuna, this industry figure is renowned for placing substantial bids for bluefin tuna at these auspicious new year auctions.

Bidding Shock and Historic Past

Following the auction, the successful bidder informed journalists that he was "astonished at the final price," noting, "I believed we would be able to purchase it a little cheaper, but the price escalated rapidly."

This new purchase exceeds his own 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).

Despite once remarking that he thought he "overdid it," he has now proceeded to surpass his personal record once again.

A Tradition of High Prices

The first auction at the Toyosu fish market is traditionally characterized by exceptionally high prices. The previous year, the first tuna was acquired for 207 million yen by another culinary group, which stated the fish would be served at its restaurants across Japan.

The intense atmosphere at the fish market during these early morning auctions has evolved into a must-see tourist attraction in Tokyo. Monday's auction, which started around 05:00 local time, was no different.

Swift Service

The record-priced tuna was promptly prepared for customers at the bidder's sushi chains shortly after the auction concluded.

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