Bluefin Fish Sells for Record Sum of 3.2 million dollars at Tokyo New Year Sale

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

The top bid for the 243kg fish was submitted by the company of a popular sushi restaurant group, which operates locations across the country and internationally.

"The year's tuna brings fortune," stated the business owner, a regular bidder at the traditional January sale.

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

Auction Shock and Record-Setting Precedent

Following the auction, the successful bidder admitted to the press 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 escalated rapidly."

This most recent acquisition surpasses his own record purchases:

• He secured a tuna for 56.5 million yen away in 2012.
• He bid 155 million yen in 2013.
• In 2019, he won a tuna for 333.6 million yen (2.1 million dollars).

Even after previously commenting that he thought he "did too much," he has now managed to shatter his own record yet again.

An Annual Spectacle of Exorbitant Bids

The opening auction at the Toyosu fish market is notoriously characterized by exorbitant prices. Last year, the first tuna was acquired for 207 million yen by another food company, which indicated the fish would be featured at its locations throughout the country.

The high-energy energy at the fish market during these early morning auctions has transformed into a popular event in Tokyo. Monday's auction, which began around 05:00 local time, was no exception.

Swift Service

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

"I believe like I've started the year in a positive way after consuming something so fortune-bringing as the year starts," said one satisfied diner.