Bluefin Fish Fetches Unprecedented Bid of $3.2 million at Japanese Capital Auction

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

The top bid for the 535-pound fish was submitted by the operator of a nationwide sushi chain, which manages locations domestically and abroad.

"An inaugural tuna heralds good luck," commented the entrepreneur, a regular bidder at the traditional first sale.

Dubbed the King of Tuna, this businessman is noted for making substantial bids for premium bluefin tuna at these symbolic January auctions.

Auction Surprise and Historic Past

Following the auction, the winner told journalists that he was "astonished at the amount," stating, "I believed we would be able to purchase it a little cheaper, but the price skyrocketed in no time."

This latest purchase exceeds his own record purchases:

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

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

A Tradition of Exorbitant Bids

The first auction at the Toyosu fish market is traditionally associated with exceptionally high prices. In the prior year, the first tuna was acquired for 207 million yen by another sushi chain operator, which announced the fish would be available at its eateries throughout the country.

The intense energy at the fish market during these pre-dawn auctions has evolved into a must-see tourist attraction in Tokyo. Monday's auction, which commenced around 05:00 local time, was no different.

From Auction to Plate

The record-priced tuna was promptly processed for diners at the bidder's sushi establishments shortly after the auction concluded.

"I sense like I've started the year in a good way after eating something so lucky as the year begins," said one elated patron.