Pacific Bluefin Fish Commands Record Sum of 3.2 million dollars at Tokyo Auction

A massive Pacific bluefin tuna caused a stir at the Tokyo's Toyosu fish market this Monday, securing a historic bid of 510.3 million yen ($3.2m; £2.4m) during the market's first auction of the new year.

The successful offer for the 535-pound fish was placed by the operator of a nationwide sushi restaurant group, which runs outlets domestically and abroad.

"The first tuna heralds good luck," remarked the company president, a regular participant at the yearly January sale.

Known as the King of Tuna, this entrepreneur is famous for submitting substantial bids for premium bluefin tuna at these high-profile January auctions.

Auction Shock and Record-Setting Past

Following the auction, the successful bidder admitted to journalists that he was "astonished at the final price," stating, "I expected we would be able to acquire it a little at a lower price, but the price skyrocketed before you knew it."

This new purchase exceeds his own notable purchases:

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

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

An Annual Spectacle of Exorbitant Bids

The opening auction at the Tokyo fish market is notoriously known for exorbitant prices. In the prior year, the first tuna was bought for 207 million yen by a different sushi chain operator, which indicated the fish would be served at its eateries throughout the country.

The high-energy activity at the fish market during these early morning auctions has transformed into a must-see tourist attraction in Tokyo. Monday's auction, which began around 05:00 local time, was no exception.

From Auction to Plate

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

"I believe like I've begun the year in a positive way after eating something so lucky as the year starts," said one satisfied customer.