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

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

The successful bid for the 243-kilogram fish was submitted by the company of a well-known sushi chain, which manages outlets across the country and overseas.

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

Referred to as the King of Tuna, this industry figure is famous for submitting substantial bids for bluefin tuna at these auspicious year-opening auctions.

Bidding Shock and Historic Past

After the auction, the successful bidder informed reporters that he was "surprised at the winning bid," adding, "I expected we would be able to acquire it a little cheaper, but the price soared rapidly."

This latest purchase exceeds his previous notable purchases:

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

Despite previously remarking that he thought he "did too much," he has now gone on to surpass his own record another time.

An Annual Spectacle of Exorbitant Bids

The inaugural auction at the Tokyo fish market is typically known for exorbitant prices. The previous year, the initial tuna was acquired for 207 million yen by another food company, which indicated the fish would be available at its eateries throughout the country.

The intense activity at the fish market during these pre-dawn auctions has evolved into a must-see event in Tokyo. Monday's auction, which started around 05:00 local time, was equally bustling.

From Auction to Plate

The record-priced tuna was quickly prepared for patrons at the bidder's sushi establishments shortly after the auction was finished.

"I believe like I've started the year in a positive way after tasting something so lucky as the year gets underway," shared one happy patron.