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

A massive bluefin tuna created waves 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 market's first auction of the year.

The winning offer for the 535-pound fish was submitted by the operator of a popular sushi chain, which runs restaurants domestically and abroad.

"An inaugural tuna signals good luck," stated the business owner, a regular bidder at the annual first sale.

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

Auction Shock and Historic Past

After the auction, the successful bidder admitted to journalists that he was "taken aback at the final price," stating, "I had thought we would be able to acquire it a little for less, but the price skyrocketed before you knew it."

This most recent purchase surpasses his own record purchases:

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

Even after previously commenting that he thought he "did too much," he has now managed to break his own record yet again.

A Tradition of Exorbitant Bids

The opening auction at the Tokyo fish market is typically known for exorbitant prices. Last year, the first tuna was purchased for 207 million yen by a different sushi chain operator, which indicated the fish would be featured at its restaurants across Japan.

The frenetic activity at the fish market during these early morning auctions has transformed into a popular spectacle in Tokyo. Monday's auction, which began around 05:00 local time, was no different.

From Auction to Plate

The multi-million-dollar tuna was shortly thereafter processed for diners at the entrepreneur's sushi chains immediately after the auction concluded.

"I believe like I've begun the year in a auspicious way after consuming something so fortune-bringing as the year begins," remarked one elated patron.