The auction of a 'second ranking' Bluefin tuna has fetched 2.75 million yen, demonstrating a noteworthy financial gap compared to the one from previous auctions, where the highest bid was 5 billion yen. The tuna, sold as part of a New Year's tradition in Japan, illustrates the fluctuating value of this prized fish in the market, amid concerns about overfishing and sustainability.

The New Year's auction of Bluefin tuna is a long-standing tradition in Japan. It represents the high value placed on this fish within Japanese cuisine, particularly as sushi and sashimi. There are also ongoing conversations about the balance of luxury food culture and ecological sustainability.

In the US or EU, sustainability and overfishing are significant issues, with various laws and regulations in place to regulate fishing practices. However, the spectacle of monumental bidding prices seen in Japan for a single fish is less common in Western markets.