Bluefin Fish Fetches Historic Bid of $3.2 million at Tokyo Auction

A massive Pacific bluefin tuna made headlines at the Toyosu fish market this Monday, securing a historic bid of 510.3 million yen (3.2 million US dollars; £2.4m) during the market's opening auction of the new year.

The winning bid for the 243kg fish was submitted by the operator of a nationwide sushi chain, which manages outlets across the country and abroad.

"The year's tuna signals fortune," remarked the entrepreneur, a familiar bidder at the yearly January sale.

Dubbed the King of Tuna, this industry figure is noted for making high bids for bluefin tuna at these symbolic new year auctions.

Bidding Shock and Record-Setting Precedent

After the auction, the successful bidder told reporters that he was "astonished at the amount," adding, "I had thought we would be able to buy it a little for less, but the price skyrocketed before you knew it."

This latest purchase surpasses his own notable purchases:

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

Despite once commenting that he thought he "overdid it," he has now gone on to surpass his own record another time.

A Tradition of High Prices

The inaugural auction at the Toyosu fish market is typically characterized by sky-high prices. Last year, the initial tuna was purchased for 207 million yen by another food company, which indicated the fish would be featured at its locations across Japan.

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

From Auction to Plate

The extremely valuable tuna was quickly processed for diners at the bidder's sushi restaurants soon after the auction concluded.

"I feel like I've begun the year in a positive way after consuming something so fortune-bringing as the year gets underway," shared one elated customer.