Bluefin Fish Fetches Record Sum of $3.2m at Tokyo Auction

A massive bluefin tuna made headlines at the Tokyo's Toyosu fish market this Monday, garnering a unprecedented bid of 510.3 million yen ($3.2 million; £2.4m) during the market's opening auction of the new year.

The top bid for the 243kg fish was submitted by the company of a popular sushi restaurant group, which manages restaurants throughout Japan and abroad.

"The first tuna heralds a prosperous start," stated the business owner, a notable figure at the annual first sale.

Referred to as the King of Tuna, this businessman is renowned for placing record bids for bluefin tuna at these auspicious new year auctions.

Auction Shock and Historic Precedent

Following the auction, the winner informed reporters that he was "taken aback at the amount," stating, "I believed we would be able to purchase it a little cheaper, but the price soared rapidly."

This latest acquisition surpasses his previous notable purchases:

• He paid 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 ($2.1 million).

Despite previously saying that he thought he "overdid it," he has now proceeded to break his own record another time.

A Tradition of Exorbitant Bids

The opening auction at the Toyosu fish market is typically associated with sky-high prices. In the prior year, the first tuna was acquired for 207 million yen by another sushi chain operator, which indicated the fish would be featured at its eateries nationwide.

The intense atmosphere at the fish market during these early morning auctions has transformed into a popular tourist attraction 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 customers at the entrepreneur's sushi chains shortly after the auction concluded.

"I believe like I've started the year in a good way after eating something so auspicious as the year gets underway," shared one happy diner.