Bluefin Fish Sells for Record Bid of $3.2m at Tokyo Auction

A bulky bluefin tuna created waves at the Tokyo's Toyosu fish market this Monday, securing a unprecedented bid of 510.3 million yen ($3.2 million; £2.4m) during the market's first auction of the calendar year.

The top offer for the 243-kilogram fish was placed by the parent firm of a nationwide sushi restaurant group, which operates locations across the country and abroad.

"The first tuna signals good luck," commented the company president, a notable bidder at the traditional new year's auction.

Dubbed the King of Tuna, this industry figure is renowned for placing record bids for premium bluefin tuna at these high-profile new year auctions.

Bidding Surprise and Record-Setting Past

Following the auction, the winner informed reporters that he was "astonished at the winning bid," adding, "I had thought we would be able to acquire it a little cheaper, but the price escalated in no time."

This new acquisition surpasses his previous record purchases:

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

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

A Tradition of High Prices

The first auction at the Toyosu fish market is notoriously characterized by exceptionally high prices. In the prior year, the first tuna was purchased for 207 million yen by a different sushi chain operator, which stated the fish would be featured at its restaurants throughout the country.

The intense energy at the fish market during these early morning auctions has evolved into a must-see tourist attraction in Tokyo. Monday's auction, which commenced around 05:00 local time, was no exception.

From Auction to Plate

The multi-million-dollar tuna was promptly prepared for diners at the entrepreneur's sushi establishments immediately after the auction concluded.

"I sense like I've commenced the year in a auspicious way after tasting something so lucky as the year gets underway," remarked one elated diner.