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

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

The winning bid for the 535-pound fish came from the parent firm of a well-known sushi chain, which operates restaurants throughout Japan and overseas.

"The year's tuna heralds fortune," stated the company president, a familiar participant at the traditional new year's auction.

Known as the Tuna Tycoon, this businessman is famous for placing substantial bids for premium bluefin tuna at these auspicious January auctions.

Bidding Shock and Record-Setting Precedent

Following the auction, the winner informed journalists that he was "surprised at the final price," stating, "I believed we would be able to acquire it a little at a lower price, but the price skyrocketed in no time."

This latest purchase tops his own record purchases:

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

Despite once commenting that he thought he "bid too high," he has now proceeded to break his personal record once again.

A Tradition of High Prices

The opening auction at the Toyosu fish market is typically associated with exceptionally high prices. In the prior year, the first tuna was bought for 207 million yen by a different food company, which indicated the fish would be featured at its locations nationwide.

The intense activity at the fish market during these pre-sunrise auctions has evolved into a must-see tourist attraction in Tokyo. Monday's auction, which started around 05:00 local time, was no different.

Swift Service

The extremely valuable tuna was quickly processed for customers at the winner's sushi establishments soon after the auction was finished.

"I believe like I've begun the year in a good way after consuming something so lucky as the year starts," said one satisfied patron.