Pacific Bluefin Fish Commands Record Sum of $3.2m at Tokyo New Year Sale

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

The top bid for the 535-pound fish came from the parent firm of a well-known sushi chain, which manages restaurants domestically and abroad.

"The first tuna heralds fortune," stated the entrepreneur, a regular bidder at the yearly new year's auction.

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

Auction Surprise and Record-Setting Precedent

After the auction, the winner admitted to reporters that he was "surprised at the amount," adding, "I had thought we would be able to buy it a little cheaper, but the price skyrocketed rapidly."

This most recent purchase exceeds his own record purchases:

• He bid 56.5 million yen back in 2012.
• He paid 155 million yen the following year.
• In 2019, he purchased a tuna for 333.6 million yen (2.1 million dollars).

Even after once saying that he thought he "overdid it," he has now managed to shatter his personal record another time.

A Tradition of High Prices

The first auction at the Toyosu fish market is typically characterized by sky-high prices. In the prior year, the first tuna was acquired for 207 million yen by another sushi chain operator, which stated the fish would be served at its locations across Japan.

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

Swift Service

The extremely valuable tuna was shortly thereafter prepared for customers at the bidder's sushi restaurants soon after the auction was finished.

"I believe like I've started the year in a positive way after tasting something so auspicious as the year gets underway," remarked one happy diner.