Bluefin Tuna Sells for Record Sum of $3.2 million at Japanese Capital Auction

A massive bluefin tuna created waves at the Toyosu fish market this Monday, garnering a record-breaking bid of 510.3 million yen ($3.2 million; £2.4m) during the venue's inaugural auction of the new year.

The winning bid for the 243-kilogram fish was submitted by the operator of a nationwide sushi chain, which manages restaurants domestically and overseas.

"The first tuna heralds fortune," stated the company president, a familiar participant at the traditional new year's auction.

Known as the Tuna Tycoon, this entrepreneur is noted for placing substantial bids for premium bluefin tuna at these high-profile new year auctions.

Auction Surprise and Historic Past

Following the auction, the winner admitted to reporters that he was "surprised at the amount," stating, "I expected we would be able to purchase it a little for less, but the price skyrocketed before you knew it."

This new purchase tops his previous historic purchases:

• He secured a tuna for 56.5 million yen back in 2012.
• He paid 155 million yen in 2013.
• In 2019, he purchased a tuna for 333.6 million yen ($2.1 million).

Despite once saying that he thought he "overdid it," he has now proceeded to surpass his personal record yet again.

An Annual Spectacle of High Prices

The first auction at the Toyosu fish market is notoriously characterized by exceptionally high prices. The previous year, the first tuna was bought for 207 million yen by a separate sushi chain operator, which announced the fish would be available at its eateries across Japan.

The frenetic energy at the fish market during these pre-dawn auctions has become a must-see tourist attraction in Tokyo. Monday's auction, which started around 05:00 local time, was no exception.

From Auction to Plate

The record-priced tuna was quickly processed for customers at the entrepreneur's sushi chains shortly after the auction concluded.

"I sense like I've started the year in a positive way after eating something so lucky as the year begins," shared one elated customer.