Bluefin Tuna Sells for Historic Bid of $3.2 million at Tokyo Auction

A substantial bluefin tuna caused a stir at the Toyosu fish market this Monday, garnering a unprecedented bid of 510.3 million yen (3.2 million US dollars; £2.4m) during the market's first auction of the calendar year.

The successful offer for the 243kg fish was submitted by the parent firm of a well-known sushi restaurant group, which runs locations throughout Japan and internationally.

"An inaugural tuna signals good luck," commented the company president, a familiar participant at the annual first sale.

Referred to as the Tuna Tycoon, this businessman is noted for submitting record bids for premium bluefin tuna at these auspicious new year auctions.

Bidding Surprise and Record-Setting Past

Following the auction, the successful bidder informed journalists that he was "taken aback at the winning bid," stating, "I expected we would be able to purchase it a little at a lower price, but the price escalated in no time."

This new acquisition tops his previous historic purchases:

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

Even after once commenting that he thought he "bid too high," he has now managed to break his own record once again.

A Tradition of High Prices

The opening auction at the Tokyo fish market is typically characterized by exorbitant prices. Last year, the first tuna was purchased for 207 million yen by another culinary group, which announced the fish would be served at its eateries across Japan.

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

Swift Service

The record-priced tuna was quickly processed for diners at the winner's sushi restaurants soon after the auction concluded.

"I feel like I've begun the year in a auspicious way after tasting something so lucky as the year gets underway," said one happy patron.