Bluefin Fish Sells for Unprecedented Price of 3.2 million dollars at Tokyo Auction

A massive Pacific bluefin tuna created waves at the Tokyo's Toyosu fish market this Monday, garnering a historic bid of 510.3 million yen (3.2 million US dollars; £2.4m) during the venue's opening auction of the year.

The winning offer for the 243-kilogram fish was submitted by the operator of a well-known sushi chain, which runs restaurants throughout Japan and abroad.

"An inaugural tuna heralds good luck," commented the entrepreneur, a familiar participant at the yearly first sale.

Referred to as the Tuna Tycoon, this industry figure is renowned for making record bids for bluefin tuna at these high-profile January auctions.

Bidding Surprise and Historic Past

Following the auction, the winner told reporters that he was "astonished at the amount," stating, "I expected we would be able to buy it a little cheaper, but the price skyrocketed rapidly."

This most recent purchase tops his previous record purchases:

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

Even after previously remarking that he thought he "bid too high," he has now proceeded to shatter his personal record another time.

A Tradition of High Prices

The opening auction at the Tokyo fish market is typically known for exceptionally high prices. The previous year, the first tuna was purchased for 207 million yen by another sushi chain operator, which indicated the fish would be served at its eateries throughout the country.

The frenetic atmosphere at the fish market during these pre-sunrise auctions has become a popular spectacle in Tokyo. Monday's auction, which started around 05:00 local time, was no exception.

From Auction to Plate

The multi-million-dollar tuna was quickly processed for diners at the winner's sushi establishments shortly after the auction ended.

"I sense like I've started the year in a auspicious way after tasting something so auspicious as the year begins," said one happy patron.