Pacific Bluefin Fish Fetches Historic Price of $3.2 million at Tokyo New Year Sale

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

The successful offer for the 243kg fish was submitted by the parent firm of a well-known sushi chain, which runs restaurants domestically and overseas.

"The first tuna brings good luck," commented the entrepreneur, a regular participant at the annual January sale.

Dubbed the Tuna Tycoon, this industry figure is noted for submitting substantial bids for premium bluefin tuna at these high-profile new year auctions.

Bidding Shock and Historic Precedent

After the auction, the successful bidder told the press that he was "surprised at the amount," adding, "I believed we would be able to purchase it a little cheaper, but the price soared before you knew it."

This new purchase exceeds his previous notable purchases:

• He secured a tuna for 56.5 million yen back in 2012.
• He bid 155 million yen in 2013.
• In 2019, he won a tuna for 333.6 million yen ($2.1m).

Despite once remarking that he thought he "bid too high," he has now proceeded to shatter his own record yet again.

A Tradition of High Prices

The opening auction at the Tokyo fish market is notoriously characterized by exorbitant prices. Last year, the initial tuna was purchased for 207 million yen by a different food company, which announced the fish would be served at its locations across Japan.

The intense activity at the fish market during these pre-dawn auctions has transformed into a major tourist attraction in Tokyo. Monday's auction, which started around 05:00 local time, was equally bustling.

Swift Service

The multi-million-dollar tuna was shortly thereafter sliced up for patrons at the entrepreneur's sushi establishments soon after the auction concluded.

"I sense like I've started the year in a auspicious way after tasting something so lucky as the year starts," remarked one happy diner.