Bluefin Fish Fetches Historic Sum of $3.2m at Japanese Capital Auction

A substantial bluefin tuna caused a stir at the 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 inaugural auction of the calendar year.

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

"The year's tuna brings good luck," commented the business owner, a notable figure at the traditional new year's auction.

Dubbed the Tuna King, this industry figure is noted for submitting record bids for premium bluefin tuna at these auspicious year-opening auctions.

Auction Surprise and Historic Precedent

After the auction, the successful bidder admitted to journalists that he was "astonished at the winning bid," adding, "I had thought we would be able to buy it a little at a lower price, but the price soared in no time."

This new purchase surpasses his previous notable purchases:

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

Even after once saying that he thought he "bid too high," he has now proceeded to break his own record another time.

An Annual Spectacle of Exorbitant Bids

The inaugural auction at the Toyosu fish market is typically associated with sky-high prices. Last year, the first tuna was purchased for 207 million yen by a separate food company, which stated the fish would be served at its restaurants throughout the country.

The frenetic energy at the fish market during these pre-sunrise auctions has evolved into a must-see event in Tokyo. Monday's auction, which began around 05:00 local time, was no different.

From Auction to Plate

The extremely valuable tuna was promptly sliced up for customers at the entrepreneur's sushi chains soon after the auction ended.

"I feel like I've started the year in a positive way after tasting something so lucky as the year gets underway," remarked one satisfied diner.