Bluefin Fish Sells for Record Price of $3.2m at Tokyo New Year Sale

A massive Pacific bluefin tuna caused a stir at the Tokyo's Toyosu fish market this Monday, achieving a record-breaking bid of 510.3 million yen ($3.2 million; £2.4m) during the venue's opening auction of the new year.

The successful bid for the 243kg fish was placed by the operator of a well-known sushi restaurant group, which manages outlets throughout Japan and overseas.

"The year's tuna heralds good luck," remarked the business owner, a familiar figure at the annual first sale.

Dubbed the King of Tuna, this businessman is noted for making substantial bids for premium bluefin tuna at these symbolic year-opening auctions.

Auction Surprise and Record-Setting Past

After the auction, the successful bidder told journalists that he was "astonished at the winning bid," adding, "I believed we would be able to purchase it a little at a lower price, but the price soared rapidly."

This most recent purchase tops his own notable purchases:

• He paid 56.5 million yen back in 2012.
• He spent 155 million yen in 2013.
• In 2019, he acquired a tuna for 333.6 million yen (2.1 million dollars).

Despite previously remarking that he thought he "bid too high," he has now proceeded to break his personal record another time.

An Annual Spectacle of Exorbitant Bids

The first auction at the Toyosu fish market is notoriously known for exceptionally high prices. Last year, the first tuna was purchased for 207 million yen by another food company, which indicated the fish would be available at its restaurants across Japan.

The high-energy atmosphere at the fish market during these early morning auctions has transformed into a major spectacle in Tokyo. Monday's auction, which commenced around 05:00 local time, was no different.

Swift Service

The multi-million-dollar tuna was shortly thereafter sliced up for diners at the bidder's sushi establishments immediately after the auction ended.

"I feel like I've started the year in a good way after eating something so auspicious as the year begins," remarked one satisfied diner.