Bluefin Fish Sells for Unprecedented Bid of $3.2 million at Tokyo New Year Sale

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

The top bid for the 243kg fish was placed by the company of a nationwide sushi restaurant group, which runs locations throughout Japan and abroad.

"An inaugural tuna brings fortune," remarked the entrepreneur, a familiar bidder at the traditional new year's auction.

Known as the Tuna Tycoon, this businessman is noted for placing high bids for bluefin tuna at these symbolic new year auctions.

Bidding Surprise and Record-Setting Precedent

After the auction, the winner admitted to the press that he was "surprised at the final price," adding, "I had thought we would be able to purchase it a little at a lower price, but the price escalated before you knew it."

This most recent acquisition surpasses his previous historic purchases:

• He bid 56.5 million yen away in 2012.
• He spent 155 million yen in 2013.
• In 2019, he acquired a tuna for 333.6 million yen ($2.1 million).

Despite previously commenting that he thought he "overdid it," he has now proceeded to shatter his personal record once again.

An Annual Spectacle of High Prices

The first auction at the Toyosu fish market is traditionally associated with sky-high prices. Last year, the first tuna was acquired for 207 million yen by a different sushi chain operator, which indicated the fish would be available at its eateries across Japan.

The high-energy activity at the fish market during these early morning auctions has transformed into a major tourist attraction in Tokyo. Monday's auction, which commenced around 05:00 local time, was equally bustling.

From Auction to Plate

The multi-million-dollar tuna was promptly sliced up for patrons at the entrepreneur's sushi establishments soon after the auction ended.

"I feel like I've begun the year in a good way after consuming something so auspicious as the year begins," said one happy patron.