Pacific Bluefin Tuna Commands Unprecedented Bid of $3.2m at Tokyo Auction

A massive bluefin tuna created waves at the Toyosu fish market this Monday, garnering a record-breaking bid of 510.3 million yen ($3.2m; £2.4m) during the venue's opening auction of the year.

The top offer for the 243kg fish came from the operator of a popular sushi restaurant group, which runs outlets across the country and overseas.

"An inaugural tuna signals fortune," commented the company president, a familiar bidder at the traditional first sale.

Known as the King of Tuna, this industry figure is noted for making record bids for premium bluefin tuna at these symbolic new year auctions.

Auction Shock and Record-Setting Past

Following the auction, the successful bidder admitted to reporters that he was "astonished at the winning bid," adding, "I expected we would be able to buy it a little cheaper, but the price soared before you knew it."

This new purchase exceeds his previous record purchases:

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

Even after once remarking that he thought he "bid too high," he has now managed to break his own record once again.

A Tradition of High Prices

The inaugural auction at the Toyosu fish market is typically associated with sky-high prices. In the prior year, the first tuna was acquired for 207 million yen by a separate 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-sunrise auctions has become a major tourist attraction in Tokyo. Monday's auction, which began around 05:00 local time, was no different.

Swift Service

The multi-million-dollar tuna was shortly thereafter processed for patrons at the winner's sushi establishments immediately after the auction was finished.

"I feel like I've begun the year in a auspicious way after eating something so auspicious as the year gets underway," said one elated diner.