Bluefin Tuna Sells for Record Bid of $3.2m at Tokyo Auction

A bulky Pacific bluefin tuna caused a stir 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 inaugural auction of the new year.

The winning bid for the 535-pound fish was submitted by the operator of a popular sushi chain, which runs restaurants across the country and abroad.

"The year's tuna brings a prosperous start," remarked the business owner, a regular bidder at the traditional new year's auction.

Referred to as the King of Tuna, this industry figure is noted for submitting high bids for bluefin tuna at these symbolic January auctions.

Auction Shock and Historic Precedent

Following the auction, the successful bidder told reporters that he was "astonished at the final price," adding, "I believed we would be able to purchase it a little cheaper, but the price skyrocketed before you knew it."

This latest purchase exceeds his previous notable purchases:

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

Despite previously saying that he thought he "bid too high," he has now proceeded to shatter his own record once again.

An Annual Spectacle of Exorbitant Bids

The inaugural auction at the Tokyo fish market is typically known for exceptionally high 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 restaurants nationwide.

The frenetic atmosphere at the fish market during these pre-sunrise auctions has become a popular tourist attraction in Tokyo. Monday's auction, which commenced around 05:00 local time, was equally bustling.

Swift Service

The record-priced tuna was shortly thereafter sliced up for customers at the bidder's sushi chains shortly after the auction ended.

"I feel like I've started the year in a positive way after consuming something so lucky as the year begins," shared one elated patron.