Pacific Bluefin Fish Fetches Unprecedented Bid of $3.2m at Tokyo Auction

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

The winning bid for the 535-pound fish was submitted by the company of a popular sushi restaurant group, which manages locations across the country and overseas.

"The year's tuna brings fortune," commented the company president, a familiar participant at the yearly first sale.

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

Bidding Shock and Record-Setting Past

After the auction, the winner told the press that he was "surprised at the winning bid," stating, "I believed we would be able to acquire it a little cheaper, but the price skyrocketed before you knew it."

This most recent acquisition exceeds his previous record purchases:

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

Despite previously remarking that he thought he "did too much," he has now gone on to break his own record yet again.

An Annual Spectacle of Exorbitant Bids

The inaugural auction at the Tokyo fish market is traditionally characterized by exorbitant prices. The previous year, the initial tuna was bought for 207 million yen by a different food company, which stated the fish would be available at its restaurants across Japan.

The high-energy atmosphere at the fish market during these early morning auctions has evolved into a must-see spectacle in Tokyo. Monday's auction, which commenced around 05:00 local time, was no different.

From Auction to Plate

The extremely valuable tuna was promptly prepared for customers at the entrepreneur's sushi chains soon after the auction ended.

"I sense like I've begun the year in a good way after consuming something so auspicious as the year gets underway," shared one elated diner.