Pacific Bluefin Tuna Commands Historic Price of 3.2 million dollars at Tokyo Auction

A bulky Pacific bluefin tuna created waves at the Toyosu fish market this Monday, garnering a record-breaking bid of 510.3 million yen ($3.2 million; £2.4m) during the venue's opening auction of the year.

The successful offer for the 535-pound fish came from the company of a popular sushi restaurant group, which operates restaurants throughout Japan and internationally.

"The year's tuna heralds fortune," stated the business owner, a regular bidder at the yearly January sale.

Dubbed the Tuna King, this businessman is noted for submitting high bids for premium bluefin tuna at these high-profile year-opening auctions.

Auction Shock and Record-Setting Past

After the auction, the successful bidder informed journalists that he was "astonished at the amount," stating, "I believed we would be able to acquire it a little for less, but the price escalated rapidly."

This most recent acquisition exceeds his own historic purchases:

• He paid 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 dollars).

Despite previously remarking that he thought he "overdid it," he has now managed to break his personal record another time.

A Tradition of High Prices

The opening auction at the Tokyo fish market is typically associated with exceptionally high prices. In the prior year, the initial tuna was bought for 207 million yen by a different sushi chain operator, which stated the fish would be available at its restaurants nationwide.

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

Swift Service

The multi-million-dollar tuna was quickly sliced up for diners at the winner's sushi restaurants shortly after the auction concluded.

"I believe like I've started the year in a auspicious way after eating something so fortune-bringing as the year begins," remarked one happy diner.