Pacific Bluefin Tuna Commands Unprecedented Bid of $3.2m at Tokyo Auction

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

The successful offer for the 243-kilogram fish was placed by the company of a well-known sushi restaurant group, which manages locations across the country and internationally.

"The year's tuna signals fortune," remarked the business owner, a regular bidder at the traditional first sale.

Dubbed the King of Tuna, this industry figure is famous for placing high bids for premium bluefin tuna at these high-profile new year auctions.

Bidding Shock and Record-Setting Past

After the auction, the successful bidder told reporters that he was "taken aback at the amount," adding, "I expected we would be able to purchase it a little cheaper, but the price skyrocketed before you knew it."

This latest purchase surpasses his previous record purchases:

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

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

A Tradition of High Prices

The opening auction at the Tokyo fish market is typically characterized by sky-high prices. Last 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 locations across Japan.

The high-energy activity at the fish market during these pre-dawn auctions has become a popular event in Tokyo. Monday's auction, which began around 05:00 local time, was no different.

From Auction to Plate

The extremely valuable tuna was quickly prepared for patrons at the winner's sushi chains soon after the auction was finished.

"I believe like I've begun the year in a auspicious way after consuming something so lucky as the year begins," shared one satisfied diner.