Bluefin Fish Fetches Record Price of $3.2m at Japanese Capital New Year Sale

A substantial Pacific bluefin tuna made headlines at the Tokyo's Toyosu fish market this Monday, garnering a record-breaking bid of 510.3 million yen ($3.2m; £2.4m) during the venue's inaugural auction of the year.

The successful bid for the 243kg fish was placed by the parent firm of a nationwide sushi restaurant group, which operates outlets domestically and abroad.

"The first tuna signals good luck," remarked the business owner, a notable participant at the traditional first sale.

Dubbed the King of Tuna, this industry figure is renowned for making substantial bids for premium bluefin tuna at these symbolic January auctions.

Auction Shock and Record-Setting Precedent

Following the auction, the winner admitted to the press that he was "taken aback at the final price," adding, "I believed we would be able to acquire it a little cheaper, but the price skyrocketed in no time."

This latest acquisition tops his own record purchases:

• He secured a tuna for 56.5 million yen away in 2012.
• He spent 155 million yen the following year.
• In 2019, he won a tuna for 333.6 million yen (2.1 million dollars).

Even after previously saying that he thought he "did too much," he has now proceeded to surpass his personal record yet again.

A Tradition of Exorbitant Bids

The first auction at the Tokyo fish market is typically associated with exceptionally high prices. The previous year, the first tuna was acquired for 207 million yen by a different sushi chain operator, which announced the fish would be available at its restaurants across Japan.

The frenetic energy at the fish market during these pre-sunrise auctions has evolved into a major tourist attraction in Tokyo. Monday's auction, which began around 05:00 local time, was no different.

Swift Service

The extremely valuable tuna was promptly sliced up for diners at the bidder's sushi chains shortly after the auction was finished.

"I feel like I've started the year in a positive way after eating something so fortune-bringing as the year starts," remarked one happy customer.