Bluefin Fish Fetches Unprecedented Bid of $3.2 million at Japanese Capital Auction

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

The successful bid for the 243-kilogram fish came from the company of a well-known sushi restaurant group, which manages locations domestically and internationally.

"The first tuna brings a prosperous start," stated the entrepreneur, a familiar bidder at the traditional January sale.

Known as the King of Tuna, this businessman is famous for making high bids for bluefin tuna at these symbolic new year auctions.

Bidding Surprise and Record-Setting Past

Following the auction, the successful bidder admitted to reporters that he was "astonished at the final price," adding, "I believed we would be able to acquire it a little at a lower price, but the price soared before you knew it."

This most recent acquisition exceeds his own record purchases:

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

Despite previously remarking that he thought he "did too much," he has now gone on to break his own record once again.

A Tradition of Exorbitant Bids

The first auction at the Toyosu fish market is typically characterized by exorbitant prices. The previous year, the initial tuna was purchased for 207 million yen by a separate food company, which indicated the fish would be featured at its locations throughout the country.

The frenetic atmosphere at the fish market during these early morning auctions has become a major event 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 prepared for diners at the entrepreneur's sushi establishments shortly after the auction concluded.

"I believe like I've begun the year in a good way after consuming something so lucky as the year gets underway," said one elated patron.