Bluefin Tuna Commands Historic Bid of $3.2 million at Tokyo Auction

A substantial Pacific bluefin tuna caused a stir at the 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 calendar year.

The top bid for the 243kg fish was submitted by the operator of a nationwide sushi restaurant group, which operates restaurants domestically and overseas.

"The first tuna signals fortune," commented the company president, a familiar bidder at the yearly new year's auction.

Referred to as the Tuna King, this businessman is famous for making high bids for premium bluefin tuna at these high-profile new year auctions.

Auction Shock and Historic Precedent

Following the auction, the successful bidder informed journalists that he was "surprised at the final price," stating, "I had thought we would be able to buy it a little at a lower price, but the price skyrocketed in no time."

This new acquisition surpasses his own historic purchases:

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

Despite once commenting that he thought he "did too much," he has now gone on to break his personal record another time.

An Annual Spectacle of Exorbitant Bids

The opening auction at the Toyosu fish market is traditionally characterized by exorbitant prices. The previous year, the initial tuna was purchased for 207 million yen by a different food company, which indicated the fish would be available at its locations nationwide.

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

Swift Service

The extremely valuable tuna was promptly sliced up for diners at the entrepreneur's sushi restaurants soon after the auction concluded.

"I believe like I've begun the year in a positive way after eating something so fortune-bringing as the year gets underway," remarked one happy customer.