Pacific Bluefin Fish Sells for Historic Bid of $3.2m at Japanese Capital Auction

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

The winning bid for the 243kg fish came from the company of a popular sushi restaurant group, which manages locations across the country and internationally.

"An inaugural tuna heralds a prosperous start," commented the entrepreneur, a familiar participant at the annual January sale.

Dubbed the Tuna King, this businessman is renowned for submitting substantial bids for bluefin tuna at these auspicious new year auctions.

Bidding Shock and Historic Precedent

Following the auction, the successful bidder admitted to reporters that he was "taken aback at the winning bid," adding, "I expected we would be able to buy it a little for less, but the price skyrocketed in no time."

This most recent purchase exceeds his previous historic purchases:

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

Even after previously saying that he thought he "overdid it," he has now managed to surpass his own record yet again.

A Tradition of High Prices

The opening auction at the Tokyo fish market is notoriously characterized by exceptionally high prices. Last year, the first tuna was bought for 207 million yen by a different culinary group, which announced the fish would be featured at its eateries nationwide.

The high-energy activity at the fish market during these early morning auctions has evolved into a major event in Tokyo. Monday's auction, which started around 05:00 local time, was equally bustling.

From Auction to Plate

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

"I sense like I've begun the year in a auspicious way after tasting something so auspicious as the year starts," shared one elated patron.