Pacific Bluefin Fish Sells for Historic Sum of $3.2m at Japanese Capital New Year Sale

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

The top bid for the 243kg fish came from the company of a nationwide sushi chain, which manages outlets domestically and overseas.

"The year's tuna brings good luck," stated the entrepreneur, a familiar figure at the traditional new year's auction.

Dubbed the King of Tuna, this industry figure is renowned for making record bids for premium bluefin tuna at these auspicious year-opening auctions.

Bidding Shock and Historic Precedent

Following the auction, the winner told reporters that he was "taken aback at the final price," adding, "I had thought we would be able to acquire it a little cheaper, but the price skyrocketed rapidly."

This most recent acquisition surpasses his own notable purchases:

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

Even after once saying that he thought he "overdid it," he has now proceeded to shatter his personal record another time.

A Tradition of High Prices

The opening auction at the Tokyo fish market is traditionally associated with exorbitant prices. In the prior year, the first tuna was purchased for 207 million yen by a different culinary group, which stated the fish would be served at its eateries across Japan.

The intense energy at the fish market during these early morning auctions has transformed into a popular spectacle in Tokyo. Monday's auction, which commenced around 05:00 local time, was equally bustling.

Swift Service

The record-priced tuna was shortly thereafter processed for diners at the bidder's sushi chains immediately after the auction was finished.

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