Pacific Bluefin Tuna Sells for Unprecedented Bid of 3.2 million dollars at Japanese Capital Auction

A bulky bluefin tuna created waves 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 successful offer for the 535-pound fish was submitted by the company of a popular sushi restaurant group, which operates outlets throughout Japan and abroad.

"The year's tuna heralds fortune," remarked the entrepreneur, a regular figure at the yearly new year's auction.

Referred to as the King of Tuna, this industry figure is renowned for making record bids for bluefin tuna at these high-profile new year auctions.

Auction Shock and Record-Setting Past

After the auction, the successful bidder told the press that he was "taken aback at the amount," adding, "I had thought we would be able to purchase it a little cheaper, but the price skyrocketed rapidly."

This latest acquisition surpasses his own record purchases:

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

Even after once commenting that he thought he "bid too high," he has now gone on to surpass his personal record another time.

A Tradition of Exorbitant Bids

The first auction at the Tokyo fish market is traditionally associated with sky-high prices. The previous year, the first tuna was acquired for 207 million yen by another culinary group, which stated the fish would be featured at its restaurants across Japan.

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

From Auction to Plate

The extremely valuable tuna was quickly processed for customers at the bidder's sushi restaurants soon after the auction ended.

"I believe like I've commenced the year in a good way after tasting something so lucky as the year starts," shared one happy diner.