Bluefin Fish Sells for Unprecedented Price of 3.2 million dollars at Tokyo New Year Sale

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

The top offer for the 243kg fish was submitted by the operator of a nationwide sushi chain, which runs locations throughout Japan and internationally.

"The year's tuna brings good luck," commented the entrepreneur, a familiar figure at the traditional January sale.

Known as the Tuna King, this entrepreneur is renowned for making substantial bids for bluefin tuna at these symbolic new year auctions.

Bidding Shock and Record-Setting Past

After the auction, the winner admitted to the press that he was "astonished at the final price," adding, "I had thought we would be able to acquire it a little for less, but the price soared rapidly."

This latest purchase exceeds his previous notable purchases:

• He bid 56.5 million yen back in 2012.
• He spent 155 million yen in 2013.
• 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 managed to break his own record another time.

A Tradition of High Prices

The opening auction at the Toyosu fish market is typically known for exceptionally high prices. In the prior year, the initial tuna was purchased for 207 million yen by a separate culinary group, which announced the fish would be available at its locations throughout the country.

The high-energy atmosphere at the fish market during these pre-dawn auctions has become a must-see tourist attraction in Tokyo. Monday's auction, which began around 05:00 local time, was no exception.

Immediate Consumption

The extremely valuable tuna was quickly prepared for customers at the bidder's sushi establishments immediately after the auction was finished.

"I sense like I've begun the year in a auspicious way after tasting something so fortune-bringing as the year gets underway," said one elated diner.