Bluefin Tuna Commands Historic Price of $3.2m at Tokyo New Year Sale

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

The winning bid for the 243-kilogram fish was submitted by the company of a nationwide sushi restaurant group, which runs restaurants across the country and overseas.

"The first tuna heralds a prosperous start," stated the entrepreneur, a notable bidder at the yearly January sale.

Known as the King of Tuna, this entrepreneur is renowned for placing high bids for premium bluefin tuna at these high-profile new year auctions.

Auction Surprise and Record-Setting Precedent

After the auction, the winner told journalists that he was "surprised at the final price," noting, "I believed we would be able to buy it a little cheaper, but the price escalated before you knew it."

This latest acquisition surpasses his own notable purchases:

• He paid 56.5 million yen away in 2012.
• He bid 155 million yen a year later.
• In 2019, he won a tuna for 333.6 million yen (2.1 million dollars).

Even after once saying that he thought he "overdid it," he has now managed to surpass his personal record once again.

A Tradition of Exorbitant Bids

The inaugural auction at the Toyosu fish market is traditionally known for exorbitant prices. Last year, the initial tuna was purchased for 207 million yen by another food company, which stated the fish would be served at its restaurants across Japan.

The intense atmosphere at the fish market during these pre-dawn auctions has evolved into a popular spectacle in Tokyo. Monday's auction, which began around 05:00 local time, was no exception.

Swift Service

The multi-million-dollar tuna was promptly prepared for patrons at the entrepreneur's sushi chains immediately after the auction concluded.

"I believe like I've begun the year in a good way after tasting something so lucky as the year begins," remarked one elated customer.