Bluefin Fish Fetches Unprecedented Bid of $3.2 million at Tokyo Auction

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

The winning bid for the 535-pound fish was placed by the operator of a popular sushi chain, which operates locations throughout Japan and abroad.

"An inaugural tuna brings a prosperous start," stated the business owner, a familiar participant at the traditional new year's auction.

Referred to as the King of Tuna, this entrepreneur is famous for submitting substantial bids for bluefin tuna at these auspicious January auctions.

Bidding Surprise and Historic Precedent

Following the auction, the winner informed journalists that he was "astonished at the winning bid," adding, "I expected we would be able to acquire it a little for less, but the price skyrocketed in no time."

This most recent purchase surpasses his own notable purchases:

• He secured a tuna for 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).

Even after once saying that he thought he "did too much," he has now gone on to break his personal record another time.

A Tradition of Exorbitant Bids

The inaugural auction at the Toyosu fish market is typically associated with exorbitant prices. In the prior year, the initial tuna was bought for 207 million yen by a separate culinary group, which indicated the fish would be available at its eateries nationwide.

The frenetic activity at the fish market during these pre-sunrise auctions has transformed into a must-see tourist attraction in Tokyo. Monday's auction, which began around 05:00 local time, was equally bustling.

From Auction to Plate

The multi-million-dollar tuna was promptly processed for patrons at the winner's sushi establishments shortly after the auction concluded.

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