Pacific Bluefin Fish Sells for Record Price of $3.2 million at Tokyo Auction

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

The winning offer for the 243-kilogram fish was submitted by the parent firm of a nationwide sushi restaurant group, which operates outlets across the country and overseas.

"An inaugural tuna heralds fortune," remarked the entrepreneur, a familiar participant at the annual new year's auction.

Known as the Tuna King, this industry figure is renowned for submitting high bids for premium bluefin tuna at these symbolic year-opening auctions.

Auction Shock and Historic Precedent

After the auction, the winner informed journalists that he was "astonished at the amount," noting, "I had thought we would be able to purchase it a little at a lower price, but the price skyrocketed in no time."

This latest acquisition exceeds his previous record purchases:

• He secured a tuna for 56.5 million yen back in 2012.
• He bid 155 million yen a year later.
• In 2019, he acquired a tuna for 333.6 million yen ($2.1m).

Even after previously commenting that he thought he "did too much," he has now proceeded to surpass his own record once again.

A Tradition of Exorbitant Bids

The inaugural auction at the Tokyo fish market is traditionally associated with sky-high prices. In the prior year, the initial tuna was purchased for 207 million yen by a different food company, which announced the fish would be available at its locations across Japan.

The high-energy atmosphere at the fish market during these pre-dawn auctions has become a major tourist attraction in Tokyo. Monday's auction, which commenced around 05:00 local time, was no different.

Swift Service

The extremely valuable tuna was shortly thereafter sliced up for diners at the bidder's sushi restaurants shortly after the auction ended.

"I feel like I've started the year in a positive way after tasting something so auspicious as the year gets underway," shared one happy customer.