Bluefin Tuna Fetches Unprecedented Price of $3.2m at Tokyo New Year Sale

A massive 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; £2.4m) during the market's opening auction of the year.

The winning bid for the 243kg fish was submitted by the company of a nationwide sushi chain, which runs locations throughout Japan and abroad.

"An inaugural tuna signals a prosperous start," stated the company president, a notable bidder at the traditional first sale.

Dubbed the Tuna Tycoon, this businessman is famous for making record bids for bluefin tuna at these auspicious new year auctions.

Bidding Surprise and Record-Setting Precedent

After the auction, the winner admitted to the press that he was "astonished at the final price," adding, "I expected we would be able to purchase it a little cheaper, but the price escalated in no time."

This latest acquisition tops his previous notable purchases:

• He bid 56.5 million yen away in 2012.
• He bid 155 million yen the following year.
• 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 Exorbitant Bids

The opening auction at the Toyosu fish market is typically characterized by exceptionally high prices. Last year, the initial tuna was bought for 207 million yen by a separate culinary group, which announced the fish would be featured at its eateries throughout the country.

The intense activity at the fish market during these early morning auctions has become a must-see event in Tokyo. Monday's auction, which commenced around 05:00 local time, was no different.

Immediate Consumption

The record-priced tuna was shortly thereafter processed for patrons at the entrepreneur's sushi restaurants soon after the auction ended.

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