Pacific Bluefin Fish Sells for Unprecedented Bid of $3.2m at Japanese Capital New Year Sale

A massive bluefin tuna made headlines 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 market's opening auction of the new year.

The successful offer for the 243kg fish came from the parent firm of a popular sushi chain, which operates outlets domestically and abroad.

"The first tuna signals a prosperous start," remarked the company president, a notable figure at the annual new year's auction.

Referred to as the Tuna King, this industry figure is famous for making high bids for bluefin tuna at these symbolic year-opening auctions.

Auction Shock and Historic Past

Following the auction, the successful bidder told the press that he was "surprised at the amount," stating, "I expected we would be able to purchase it a little for less, but the price skyrocketed rapidly."

This new purchase exceeds his own notable purchases:

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

Even after previously remarking that he thought he "overdid it," he has now proceeded to shatter his own record once again.

An Annual Spectacle of High Prices

The inaugural auction at the Tokyo fish market is typically characterized by exceptionally high prices. The previous year, the first tuna was bought for 207 million yen by a different food company, which indicated the fish would be featured at its restaurants throughout the country.

The frenetic energy at the fish market during these early morning auctions has evolved into a major event in Tokyo. Monday's auction, which commenced around 05:00 local time, was equally bustling.

Swift Service

The record-priced tuna was quickly processed for diners at the bidder's sushi restaurants soon after the auction concluded.

"I believe like I've begun the year in a good way after tasting something so fortune-bringing as the year starts," remarked one happy diner.