Tokyo's First Tuna Auction of 2024 Sells Single Fish for Record $3.2 Million

A single bluefin tuna sold for a record 350 million yen ($3.2 million) at the year's first auction in Tokyo. The high-stakes sale took place Thursday at the Toyosu fish market. The winning bid was made by a sushi restaurant chain owner. He bought the 209-kilogram tuna caught off Japan's northern coast. The price breaks the previous record set in 2019. These first auctions of the year are major events in Japan. They set the tone for the fishing year. Winning bidders gain prestige and publicity for their businesses. The tuna will be served to customers at the owner's restaurants. Despite the high auction price, the sushi will be sold at normal menu prices. The owner stated the purchase was an investment in the future of his business and Japanese food culture. Bluefin tuna is a prized ingredient for sushi and sashimi. Its popularity has led to concerns about overfishing. International bodies now manage fishing quotas for the species.