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

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

The winning bid for the 243kg fish came from the parent firm of a nationwide sushi chain, which manages outlets domestically and overseas.

"The year's tuna brings fortune," commented the entrepreneur, a notable figure at the yearly new year's auction.

Known as the Tuna King, this businessman is noted for placing record bids for premium bluefin tuna at these auspicious year-opening auctions.

Auction Surprise and Record-Setting Past

Following the auction, the successful bidder admitted to journalists that he was "taken aback at the final price," stating, "I believed we would be able to purchase it a little cheaper, but the price escalated in no time."

This latest purchase tops his own notable purchases:

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

Despite previously saying that he thought he "overdid it," he has now managed to break his personal record yet again.

A Tradition of Exorbitant Bids

The opening auction at the Toyosu fish market is traditionally characterized by sky-high prices. In the prior year, the initial tuna was purchased for 207 million yen by a separate sushi chain operator, which announced the fish would be served at its restaurants throughout the country.

The high-energy energy at the fish market during these pre-dawn auctions has evolved into a popular spectacle in Tokyo. Monday's auction, which started around 05:00 local time, was no different.

From Auction to Plate

The multi-million-dollar tuna was promptly sliced up for diners at the bidder's sushi establishments immediately after the auction ended.

"I feel like I've begun the year in a positive way after consuming something so lucky as the year begins," remarked one elated diner.