Bluefin Tuna Fetches Record Price of $3.2 million at Tokyo New Year Sale

A massive bluefin tuna made headlines at the Tokyo's Toyosu fish market this Monday, achieving a record-breaking bid of 510.3 million yen (3.2 million US dollars; £2.4m) during the venue's inaugural auction of the year.

The winning offer for the 243-kilogram fish was submitted by the parent firm of a popular sushi chain, which runs outlets domestically and overseas.

"The first tuna brings fortune," remarked the business owner, a familiar participant at the yearly January sale.

Dubbed the Tuna Tycoon, this businessman is famous for submitting substantial bids for premium bluefin tuna at these symbolic January auctions.

Bidding Surprise and Record-Setting Past

After the auction, the successful bidder informed journalists that he was "astonished at the final price," noting, "I expected we would be able to purchase it a little for less, but the price skyrocketed in no time."

This new purchase tops his own historic purchases:

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

Even after once remarking that he thought he "did too much," he has now gone on to break his own record yet again.

An Annual Spectacle of Exorbitant Bids

The first auction at the Tokyo fish market is notoriously known for exceptionally high prices. The previous year, the initial tuna was bought for 207 million yen by a separate sushi chain operator, which announced the fish would be featured at its eateries nationwide.

The high-energy energy at the fish market during these early morning auctions has evolved into a popular event in Tokyo. Monday's auction, which started around 05:00 local time, was no exception.

From Auction to Plate

The multi-million-dollar tuna was shortly thereafter processed for patrons at the winner's sushi chains soon after the auction ended.

"I believe like I've started the year in a auspicious way after eating something so auspicious as the year begins," remarked one satisfied patron.