A massive bluefin tuna made headlines at the Tokyo's Toyosu fish market this Monday, garnering a record-breaking bid of 510.3 million yen ($3.2m; £2.4m) during the venue's opening auction of the new year.
The top offer for the 535-pound fish was submitted by the operator of a popular sushi chain, which runs locations across the country and overseas.
"An inaugural tuna brings good luck," commented the company president, a notable figure at the traditional new year's auction.
Dubbed the Tuna Tycoon, this businessman is famous for placing record bids for premium bluefin tuna at these high-profile January auctions.
Following the auction, the winner told reporters that he was "taken aback at the winning bid," stating, "I believed we would be able to purchase it a little at a lower price, but the price skyrocketed before you knew it."
This latest purchase surpasses his own record purchases:
Despite previously remarking that he thought he "overdid it," he has now managed to surpass his own record another time.
The inaugural auction at the Tokyo fish market is typically known for sky-high prices. Last year, the first tuna was acquired for 207 million yen by a different food company, which stated the fish would be served at its eateries throughout the country.
The high-energy atmosphere at the fish market during these pre-sunrise auctions has become a must-see tourist attraction in Tokyo. Monday's auction, which started around 05:00 local time, was no different.
The multi-million-dollar tuna was promptly prepared for patrons at the winner's sushi establishments immediately after the auction ended.
"I feel like I've commenced the year in a good way after consuming something so fortune-bringing as the year begins," remarked one elated diner.
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