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

A massive 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 US dollars; £2.4m) during the venue's first auction of the year.

The top bid for the 535-pound fish was placed by the operator of a popular sushi restaurant group, which runs restaurants across the country and abroad.

"An inaugural tuna heralds good luck," remarked the company president, a familiar participant at the yearly new year's auction.

Referred to as the Tuna King, this entrepreneur is renowned for placing high bids for bluefin tuna at these symbolic January auctions.

Bidding Surprise and Record-Setting Precedent

After the auction, the successful bidder admitted to the press that he was "surprised at the winning bid," stating, "I believed we would be able to acquire it a little at a lower price, but the price escalated in no time."

This most recent acquisition surpasses his previous historic purchases:

• He bid 56.5 million yen back 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 once saying that he thought he "overdid it," he has now managed to shatter his personal record another time.

A Tradition of Exorbitant Bids

The first auction at the Toyosu fish market is typically known for exceptionally high prices. The previous year, the initial tuna was acquired for 207 million yen by another culinary group, which indicated the fish would be available at its eateries across Japan.

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

From Auction to Plate

The extremely valuable tuna was shortly thereafter processed for customers at the bidder's sushi chains soon after the auction concluded.

"I feel like I've begun the year in a auspicious way after tasting something so lucky as the year gets underway," said one happy customer.