Pacific Bluefin Tuna Fetches Record Sum of $3.2 million at Japanese Capital Auction

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

The top offer for the 243kg fish was placed by the parent firm of a well-known sushi chain, which operates locations across the country and internationally.

"An inaugural tuna heralds good luck," commented the company president, a notable bidder at the yearly first sale.

Known as the King of Tuna, this businessman is famous for making high bids for bluefin tuna at these high-profile January auctions.

Bidding Surprise and Record-Setting Past

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

This most recent purchase exceeds his previous record purchases:

• He paid 56.5 million yen away in 2012.
• He spent 155 million yen the following year.
• In 2019, he purchased a tuna for 333.6 million yen ($2.1 million).

Despite once commenting that he thought he "overdid it," he has now proceeded to break his personal record another time.

A Tradition of High Prices

The first auction at the Toyosu fish market is traditionally characterized by exceptionally high prices. The previous year, the first tuna was acquired for 207 million yen by another culinary group, which indicated the fish would be served at its eateries nationwide.

The intense energy at the fish market during these early morning auctions has become a major event in Tokyo. Monday's auction, which started around 05:00 local time, was no different.

Immediate Consumption

The record-priced tuna was quickly sliced up for customers at the bidder's sushi establishments shortly after the auction concluded.

"I feel like I've started the year in a auspicious way after eating something so lucky as the year starts," shared one happy diner.