Pacific Bluefin Tuna Commands Record Sum of 3.2 million dollars at Japanese Capital New Year Sale

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

The successful bid for the 535-pound fish was submitted by the company of a well-known sushi chain, which operates restaurants domestically and internationally.

"The year's tuna signals good luck," remarked the entrepreneur, a regular figure at the yearly January sale.

Dubbed the Tuna King, this businessman is renowned for making substantial bids for bluefin tuna at these high-profile year-opening auctions.

Auction Surprise and Historic Past

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

This new purchase tops his previous historic purchases:

• He secured a tuna for 56.5 million yen away in 2012.
• He spent 155 million yen the following year.
• In 2019, he won a tuna for 333.6 million yen ($2.1 million).

Even after previously remarking that he thought he "overdid it," he has now gone on to surpass his personal record yet again.

A Tradition of High Prices

The opening auction at the Toyosu fish market is traditionally characterized by sky-high prices. Last year, the first tuna was acquired for 207 million yen by another food company, which stated the fish would be available at its restaurants across Japan.

The intense activity at the fish market during these pre-sunrise auctions has become a must-see spectacle in Tokyo. Monday's auction, which commenced around 05:00 local time, was equally bustling.

Swift Service

The extremely valuable tuna was shortly thereafter processed for patrons at the bidder's sushi establishments soon after the auction concluded.

"I sense like I've commenced the year in a good way after tasting something so fortune-bringing as the year begins," remarked one satisfied patron.