Pacific Bluefin Tuna Sells for Unprecedented Price of $3.2m at Tokyo Auction

A substantial bluefin tuna caused a stir at the Toyosu fish market this Monday, achieving a historic bid of 510.3 million yen (3.2 million US dollars; £2.4m) during the market's opening auction of the year.

The winning offer for the 535-pound fish was placed by the company of a nationwide sushi chain, which manages outlets throughout Japan and overseas.

"The year's tuna signals fortune," stated the company president, a familiar participant at the traditional first sale.

Known as the Tuna King, this entrepreneur is renowned for making substantial bids for premium bluefin tuna at these auspicious new year auctions.

Auction Surprise and Historic Past

Following the auction, the winner admitted to journalists that he was "taken aback at the final price," stating, "I believed we would be able to acquire it a little at a lower price, but the price soared rapidly."

This latest purchase surpasses his previous record purchases:

• He secured a tuna for 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 ($2.1m).

Even after once commenting that he thought he "overdid it," he has now gone on to break his own record once again.

A Tradition of Exorbitant Bids

The inaugural auction at the Tokyo fish market is notoriously characterized by exceptionally high prices. Last year, the first tuna was bought for 207 million yen by a different culinary group, which indicated the fish would be served at its locations throughout the country.

The frenetic activity at the fish market during these pre-sunrise auctions has transformed into a major spectacle in Tokyo. Monday's auction, which started around 05:00 local time, was no exception.

Swift Service

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

"I believe like I've started the year in a good way after tasting something so auspicious as the year starts," shared one happy customer.