Pacific Bluefin Fish Fetches Unprecedented Sum of 3.2 million dollars at Japanese Capital Auction

A bulky Pacific 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 opening auction of the year.

The successful offer for the 243kg fish was placed by the operator of a popular sushi restaurant group, which operates locations across the country and overseas.

"The year's tuna brings fortune," stated the business owner, a regular participant at the yearly first sale.

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

Bidding Shock and Historic Past

After the auction, the winner told the press that he was "taken aback at the winning bid," adding, "I believed we would be able to purchase it a little for less, but the price escalated before you knew it."

This latest purchase surpasses his previous historic purchases:

• He bid 56.5 million yen back in 2012.
• He paid 155 million yen in 2013.
• In 2019, he acquired a tuna for 333.6 million yen (2.1 million dollars).

Even after previously remarking that he thought he "bid too high," he has now gone on to surpass his own record once again.

A Tradition of Exorbitant Bids

The inaugural auction at the Toyosu fish market is typically known for sky-high prices. In the prior year, the initial tuna was bought for 207 million yen by a separate sushi chain operator, which indicated the fish would be available at its locations throughout the country.

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

Swift Service

The multi-million-dollar tuna was shortly thereafter sliced up for patrons at the entrepreneur's sushi chains soon after the auction concluded.

"I believe like I've begun the year in a auspicious way after eating something so auspicious as the year gets underway," remarked one happy diner.