Pacific Bluefin Tuna Commands Historic Sum of 3.2 million dollars at Tokyo New Year Sale

A massive bluefin tuna created waves at the Tokyo's Toyosu fish market this Monday, securing a historic bid of 510.3 million yen (3.2 million US dollars; £2.4m) during the market's first auction of the new year.

The top bid for the 243kg fish came from the operator of a nationwide sushi restaurant group, which runs restaurants domestically and internationally.

"The first tuna brings good luck," commented the company president, a familiar figure at the annual new year's auction.

Known as the King of Tuna, this entrepreneur is famous for submitting high bids for bluefin tuna at these high-profile January auctions.

Auction Surprise and Record-Setting Precedent

Following the auction, the winner told journalists that he was "surprised at the amount," adding, "I believed we would be able to acquire it a little at a lower price, but the price soared in no time."

This latest purchase surpasses his previous historic purchases:

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

Despite once saying that he thought he "overdid it," he has now managed to shatter his own record another time.

An Annual Spectacle of Exorbitant Bids

The first auction at the Tokyo fish market is traditionally known for exceptionally high prices. The previous year, the first tuna was purchased for 207 million yen by a different food company, which indicated the fish would be featured at its restaurants nationwide.

The high-energy activity at the fish market during these pre-sunrise auctions has evolved into a major event in Tokyo. Monday's auction, which started around 05:00 local time, was no exception.

From Auction to Plate

The extremely valuable tuna was shortly thereafter sliced up for diners at the entrepreneur's sushi restaurants soon after the auction was finished.

"I feel like I've begun the year in a good way after tasting something so lucky as the year begins," said one happy patron.