Pacific Bluefin Tuna Commands Unprecedented Bid of $3.2 million at Japanese Capital New Year Sale

A bulky Pacific bluefin tuna caused a stir at the Tokyo's Toyosu fish market this Monday, achieving a unprecedented bid of 510.3 million yen ($3.2 million; £2.4m) during the venue's first auction of the year.

The top offer for the 243-kilogram fish came from the operator of a nationwide sushi restaurant group, which manages outlets across the country and overseas.

"The year's tuna brings fortune," remarked the company president, a regular bidder at the annual first sale.

Referred to as the Tuna King, this entrepreneur is noted for submitting substantial bids for bluefin tuna at these high-profile January auctions.

Bidding Shock and Historic Past

After the auction, the successful bidder admitted to the press that he was "astonished at the final price," stating, "I believed we would be able to purchase it a little cheaper, but the price skyrocketed in no time."

This most recent acquisition exceeds his previous notable purchases:

• He paid 56.5 million yen back in 2012.
• He bid 155 million yen in 2013.
• In 2019, he won a tuna for 333.6 million yen (2.1 million dollars).

Despite previously remarking that he thought he "did too much," he has now managed to surpass his personal record once again.

An Annual Spectacle of High Prices

The inaugural auction at the Toyosu fish market is traditionally known for exorbitant prices. Last year, the first tuna was bought for 207 million yen by a separate sushi chain operator, which stated the fish would be served at its locations across Japan.

The frenetic energy at the fish market during these pre-dawn auctions has evolved into a popular tourist attraction in Tokyo. Monday's auction, which commenced around 05:00 local time, was equally bustling.

From Auction to Plate

The extremely valuable tuna was promptly prepared for patrons at the bidder's sushi establishments soon after the auction was finished.

"I believe like I've commenced the year in a auspicious way after consuming something so auspicious as the year begins," shared one satisfied customer.