Pacific Bluefin Tuna Fetches Record Sum of 3.2 million dollars at Tokyo Auction

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

The successful bid for the 243kg fish was placed by the company of a nationwide sushi chain, which runs locations across the country and abroad.

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

Known as the King of Tuna, this industry figure is noted for submitting high bids for premium bluefin tuna at these high-profile year-opening auctions.

Bidding Shock and Historic Past

After the auction, the successful bidder told journalists that he was "astonished at the amount," stating, "I expected we would be able to acquire it a little at a lower price, but the price escalated before you knew it."

This latest acquisition exceeds his previous historic purchases:

• He bid 56.5 million yen away in 2012.
• He bid 155 million yen a year later.
• In 2019, he purchased a tuna for 333.6 million yen ($2.1 million).

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

A Tradition of High Prices

The first auction at the Tokyo fish market is traditionally characterized by exorbitant prices. Last year, the first tuna was purchased for 207 million yen by another culinary group, which stated the fish would be featured at its eateries throughout the country.

The intense activity at the fish market during these pre-dawn auctions has become a must-see spectacle in Tokyo. Monday's auction, which commenced around 05:00 local time, was no exception.

From Auction to Plate

The multi-million-dollar tuna was quickly sliced up for patrons at the winner's sushi chains immediately after the auction concluded.

"I sense like I've commenced the year in a good way after consuming something so fortune-bringing as the year starts," said one elated customer.