Pacific Bluefin Fish Sells for Record Bid of 3.2 million dollars at Tokyo Auction

A bulky Pacific bluefin tuna caused a stir at the Toyosu fish market this Monday, garnering a historic bid of 510.3 million yen (3.2 million US dollars; £2.4m) during the venue's inaugural auction of the year.

The winning bid for the 243-kilogram fish was submitted by the company of a well-known sushi chain, which runs outlets across the country and overseas.

"The year's tuna brings fortune," remarked the business owner, a regular participant at the annual January sale.

Dubbed the King of Tuna, this entrepreneur is famous for placing high bids for premium bluefin tuna at these auspicious year-opening auctions.

Auction Shock and Historic Precedent

Following the auction, the successful bidder told reporters that he was "surprised at the winning bid," adding, "I believed we would be able to acquire it a little at a lower price, but the price skyrocketed before you knew it."

This most recent acquisition tops his own notable purchases:

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

Even after previously commenting that he thought he "did too much," he has now gone on to surpass his own record yet again.

A Tradition of Exorbitant Bids

The opening auction at the Tokyo fish market is typically associated with exorbitant prices. The previous year, the first tuna was acquired for 207 million yen by another food company, which stated the fish would be available at its eateries across Japan.

The high-energy atmosphere at the fish market during these pre-sunrise auctions has become a must-see event in Tokyo. Monday's auction, which commenced around 05:00 local time, was equally bustling.

From Auction to Plate

The record-priced tuna was quickly sliced up for patrons at the winner's sushi chains immediately after the auction ended.

"I sense like I've commenced the year in a positive way after eating something so auspicious as the year gets underway," said one satisfied diner.