Pacific Bluefin Fish Sells for Historic Price of 3.2 million dollars at Japanese Capital New Year Sale

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

The winning bid for the 535-pound fish was submitted by the operator of a nationwide sushi chain, which runs outlets throughout Japan and internationally.

"The first tuna heralds fortune," remarked the business owner, a regular bidder at the annual first sale.

Referred to as the Tuna King, this entrepreneur is renowned for placing substantial bids for premium bluefin tuna at these auspicious year-opening auctions.

Bidding Shock and Record-Setting Past

Following the auction, the winner told reporters that he was "surprised at the final price," noting, "I had thought we would be able to acquire it a little cheaper, but the price skyrocketed in no time."

This latest purchase exceeds his own record purchases:

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

Even after once saying that he thought he "bid too high," he has now gone on to break his own record yet again.

A Tradition of Exorbitant Bids

The inaugural auction at the Toyosu fish market is traditionally known for exorbitant prices. The previous year, the first tuna was acquired for 207 million yen by another culinary group, which indicated the fish would be available at its locations across Japan.

The intense activity at the fish market during these pre-sunrise auctions has become a major spectacle 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 processed for diners at the bidder's sushi establishments immediately after the auction was finished.

"I believe like I've begun the year in a auspicious way after consuming something so fortune-bringing as the year starts," remarked one satisfied customer.