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

A bulky Pacific bluefin tuna created waves at the Tokyo's Toyosu fish market this Monday, achieving a unprecedented bid of 510.3 million yen ($3.2 million; £2.4m) during the market's first auction of the year.

The top offer for the 535-pound fish was placed by the operator of a well-known sushi chain, which runs locations domestically and overseas.

"The first tuna signals a prosperous start," commented the business owner, a regular participant at the traditional first sale.

Dubbed the Tuna Tycoon, this industry figure is famous for placing high bids for bluefin tuna at these symbolic year-opening auctions.

Auction Surprise and Record-Setting Past

After the auction, the successful bidder admitted to reporters that he was "surprised at the winning bid," stating, "I had thought we would be able to acquire it a little for less, but the price skyrocketed in no time."

This new purchase tops his previous notable purchases:

• He paid 56.5 million yen back in 2012.
• He paid 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 "overdid it," he has now gone on to surpass his personal record another time.

A Tradition of Exorbitant Bids

The inaugural auction at the Tokyo fish market is typically known for exceptionally high prices. Last year, the initial tuna was purchased for 207 million yen by a different food company, which stated the fish would be featured at its locations nationwide.

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

From Auction to Plate

The record-priced tuna was quickly processed for patrons at the entrepreneur's sushi restaurants shortly after the auction was finished.

"I feel like I've commenced the year in a good way after eating something so fortune-bringing as the year gets underway," shared one happy patron.