Pacific Bluefin Tuna Commands Unprecedented Sum of $3.2 million at Japanese Capital New Year Sale

A bulky bluefin tuna caused a stir at the Toyosu fish market this Monday, garnering a historic bid of 510.3 million yen ($3.2 million; £2.4m) during the venue's first auction of the calendar year.

The winning bid for the 535-pound fish was submitted by the company of a popular sushi restaurant group, which operates locations domestically and internationally.

"An inaugural tuna brings a prosperous start," remarked the entrepreneur, a familiar bidder at the traditional new year's auction.

Known as the Tuna King, this entrepreneur is famous for submitting record bids for bluefin tuna at these symbolic new year auctions.

Auction Surprise and Historic Past

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

This new purchase tops his previous notable purchases:

• He paid 56.5 million yen away in 2012.
• He spent 155 million yen a year later.
• In 2019, he purchased a tuna for 333.6 million yen (2.1 million dollars).

Even after once commenting that he thought he "did too much," he has now gone on to surpass his personal record once again.

A Tradition of High Prices

The inaugural auction at the Tokyo fish market is typically associated with exorbitant prices. The previous year, the initial tuna was bought for 207 million yen by a different culinary group, which announced the fish would be available at its restaurants across Japan.

The intense activity at the fish market during these pre-sunrise auctions has evolved into a popular event in Tokyo. Monday's auction, which began around 05:00 local time, was no exception.

From Auction to Plate

The record-priced tuna was quickly prepared for diners at the entrepreneur's sushi establishments shortly after the auction concluded.

"I sense like I've begun the year in a good way after tasting something so lucky as the year starts," shared one elated patron.