Pacific Bluefin Tuna Fetches Historic Price of $3.2m at Tokyo Auction

A bulky bluefin tuna caused a stir at the Toyosu fish market this Monday, securing a record-breaking bid of 510.3 million yen (3.2 million US dollars; £2.4m) during the venue's inaugural auction of the year.

The top bid for the 243kg fish was submitted by the operator of a popular sushi chain, which manages outlets domestically and internationally.

"The first tuna brings fortune," stated the entrepreneur, a notable bidder at the yearly first sale.

Known as the Tuna Tycoon, this industry figure is famous for placing record bids for premium bluefin tuna at these high-profile year-opening auctions.

Bidding Surprise and Record-Setting Past

After the auction, the winner informed the press that he was "astonished at the final price," adding, "I expected we would be able to acquire it a little cheaper, but the price escalated rapidly."

This most recent acquisition exceeds his own notable purchases:

• He bid 56.5 million yen away 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 "overdid it," he has now managed to shatter his personal record yet again.

A Tradition of Exorbitant Bids

The inaugural auction at the Tokyo fish market is traditionally characterized by sky-high prices. The previous year, the first tuna was acquired for 207 million yen by a different sushi chain operator, which announced the fish would be available at its locations throughout the country.

The high-energy energy at the fish market during these pre-sunrise auctions has evolved into a must-see spectacle 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 diners at the winner's sushi restaurants immediately after the auction was finished.

"I feel like I've begun the year in a good way after consuming something so auspicious as the year begins," said one elated customer.