Pacific Bluefin Fish Commands Unprecedented Bid of $3.2 million at Tokyo New Year Sale

A bulky Pacific bluefin tuna created waves at the Tokyo's 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 inaugural auction of the calendar year.

The winning bid for the 243kg fish came from the company of a nationwide sushi chain, which manages restaurants domestically and internationally.

"The first tuna brings fortune," commented the entrepreneur, a notable figure at the yearly January sale.

Dubbed the Tuna Tycoon, this businessman is renowned for making high bids for bluefin tuna at these high-profile January auctions.

Auction Shock and Historic Past

Following the auction, the winner admitted to journalists that he was "surprised at the amount," stating, "I had thought we would be able to buy it a little for less, but the price soared rapidly."

This most recent acquisition surpasses his own notable purchases:

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

Despite once saying that he thought he "overdid it," he has now proceeded to break his personal record another time.

A Tradition of High Prices

The inaugural auction at the Toyosu fish market is traditionally known for exorbitant prices. In the prior year, the initial tuna was bought for 207 million yen by a different food company, which announced the fish would be served at its locations throughout the country.

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

From Auction to Plate

The record-priced tuna was promptly prepared for customers at the entrepreneur's sushi chains soon after the auction ended.

"I believe like I've begun the year in a auspicious way after eating something so lucky as the year starts," said one elated diner.