Pacific Bluefin Tuna Sells for Record Bid of 3.2 million dollars at Japanese Capital Auction

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

The successful bid for the 243kg fish was submitted by the parent firm of a popular sushi chain, which runs locations across the country and abroad.

"The year's tuna brings a prosperous start," commented the entrepreneur, a regular figure at the traditional January sale.

Dubbed the Tuna King, this entrepreneur is renowned for making high bids for premium bluefin tuna at these auspicious new year auctions.

Auction Shock and Historic Past

Following the auction, the successful bidder told journalists that he was "astonished at the final price," adding, "I expected we would be able to buy it a little at a lower price, but the price skyrocketed in no time."

This new acquisition tops his own record purchases:

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

Even after previously remarking that he thought he "bid too high," he has now gone on to break his personal record yet again.

A Tradition of Exorbitant Bids

The inaugural auction at the Toyosu fish market is notoriously characterized by sky-high prices. Last year, the first tuna was acquired for 207 million yen by a different sushi chain operator, which stated the fish would be available at its restaurants across Japan.

The intense atmosphere at the fish market during these early morning auctions has transformed into a must-see tourist attraction in Tokyo. Monday's auction, which began around 05:00 local time, was no different.

From Auction to Plate

The multi-million-dollar tuna was shortly thereafter prepared for diners at the winner's sushi establishments immediately after the auction ended.

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