Bluefin Tuna Commands Record Price of 3.2 million dollars at Japanese Capital New Year Sale

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

The winning bid for the 535-pound fish came from the parent firm of a popular sushi restaurant group, which runs restaurants across the country and abroad.

"An inaugural tuna signals good luck," stated the business owner, a notable bidder at the annual new year's auction.

Referred to as the Tuna Tycoon, this entrepreneur is noted for making substantial bids for bluefin tuna at these symbolic new year auctions.

Bidding Shock and Historic Precedent

Following the auction, the successful bidder informed reporters that he was "surprised at the amount," stating, "I believed we would be able to acquire it a little cheaper, but the price escalated rapidly."

This new purchase tops his own historic purchases:

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

Despite once saying that he thought he "bid too high," he has now proceeded to break his own record yet again.

A Tradition of High Prices

The first auction at the Tokyo fish market is traditionally known for exceptionally high prices. In the prior year, the initial tuna was bought for 207 million yen by a different food company, which stated the fish would be served at its restaurants throughout the country.

The frenetic atmosphere at the fish market during these early morning auctions has become a major tourist attraction in Tokyo. Monday's auction, which began around 05:00 local time, was no different.

From Auction to Plate

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

"I sense like I've started the year in a auspicious way after tasting something so auspicious as the year gets underway," remarked one elated customer.