Bluefin Tuna Fetches Unprecedented Sum of $3.2 million at Tokyo Auction

A bulky Pacific bluefin tuna caused a stir at the Toyosu fish market this Monday, achieving a unprecedented bid of 510.3 million yen ($3.2 million; £2.4m) during the venue's first auction of the year.

The winning bid for the 243kg fish was submitted by the parent firm of a popular sushi chain, which operates locations domestically and overseas.

"An inaugural tuna signals a prosperous start," remarked the company president, a regular figure at the traditional January sale.

Known as the King of Tuna, this businessman is famous for submitting high bids for premium bluefin tuna at these high-profile new year auctions.

Bidding Shock and Historic Past

Following the auction, the winner informed journalists that he was "surprised at the winning bid," noting, "I believed we would be able to buy it a little cheaper, but the price escalated before you knew it."

This latest purchase tops his previous record purchases:

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

Despite once commenting that he thought he "bid too high," he has now gone on to surpass his personal record once again.

A Tradition of Exorbitant Bids

The first auction at the Toyosu fish market is notoriously associated with exorbitant prices. Last year, the first tuna was purchased for 207 million yen by a different sushi chain operator, which indicated the fish would be available at its locations across Japan.

The frenetic atmosphere at the fish market during these early morning auctions has evolved into a must-see event in Tokyo. Monday's auction, which commenced around 05:00 local time, was no exception.

Immediate Consumption

The extremely valuable tuna was promptly prepared for patrons at the bidder's sushi establishments immediately after the auction was finished.

"I sense like I've begun the year in a good way after tasting something so auspicious as the year begins," shared one elated patron.