Pacific Bluefin Tuna Commands Record Sum of $3.2 million at Tokyo New Year Sale

A massive Pacific 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 new year.

The successful bid for the 535-pound fish was submitted by the parent firm of a popular sushi restaurant group, which manages outlets throughout Japan and abroad.

"The year's tuna brings good luck," remarked the entrepreneur, a familiar bidder at the traditional January sale.

Known as the Tuna Tycoon, this entrepreneur is famous for making record bids for bluefin tuna at these auspicious year-opening auctions.

Bidding Surprise and Historic Past

Following the auction, the winner admitted to reporters that he was "astonished at the winning bid," noting, "I expected we would be able to purchase it a little cheaper, but the price soared rapidly."

This latest acquisition tops his previous record purchases:

• He paid 56.5 million yen back in 2012.
• He paid 155 million yen a year later.
• In 2019, he won a tuna for 333.6 million yen ($2.1 million).

Despite previously remarking that he thought he "did too much," he has now managed to surpass his personal record another time.

An Annual Spectacle of Exorbitant Bids

The first auction at the Toyosu fish market is typically known for exceptionally high prices. The previous year, the first tuna was purchased for 207 million yen by another culinary group, which indicated the fish would be featured at its eateries across Japan.

The frenetic atmosphere at the fish market during these pre-dawn auctions has transformed into a must-see tourist attraction in Tokyo. Monday's auction, which commenced around 05:00 local time, was equally bustling.

From Auction to Plate

The multi-million-dollar tuna was promptly sliced up for diners at the winner's sushi establishments immediately after the auction ended.

"I sense like I've started the year in a positive way after consuming something so lucky as the year starts," remarked one elated customer.