Pacific Bluefin Tuna Fetches Record Bid of $3.2m at Japanese Capital New Year Sale

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

The winning bid for the 243kg fish was submitted by the operator of a nationwide sushi restaurant group, which operates restaurants throughout Japan and overseas.

"The year's tuna heralds good luck," stated the entrepreneur, a regular figure at the annual January sale.

Known as the King of Tuna, this businessman is noted for making high bids for bluefin tuna at these auspicious January auctions.

Auction Shock and Historic Past

After the auction, the successful bidder admitted to the press that he was "surprised at the final price," adding, "I had thought we would be able to buy it a little cheaper, but the price escalated rapidly."

This latest acquisition surpasses his previous record purchases:

• He secured a tuna for 56.5 million yen away in 2012.
• He spent 155 million yen the following year.
• In 2019, he acquired a tuna for 333.6 million yen ($2.1 million).

Even after previously remarking that he thought he "overdid it," he has now gone on to surpass his personal record another time.

An Annual Spectacle of Exorbitant Bids

The opening auction at the Toyosu fish market is typically associated with exceptionally high prices. In the prior year, the initial tuna was acquired for 207 million yen by another food company, which stated the fish would be available at its eateries throughout the country.

The intense atmosphere at the fish market during these pre-sunrise auctions has become a popular event in Tokyo. Monday's auction, which started around 05:00 local time, was equally bustling.

Immediate Consumption

The multi-million-dollar tuna was promptly prepared for customers at the winner's sushi establishments immediately after the auction was finished.

"I feel like I've begun the year in a good way after eating something so auspicious as the year starts," remarked one satisfied patron.