Bluefin Fish Fetches Record Bid of $3.2 million at Japanese Capital Auction

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

The winning offer for the 535-pound fish was submitted by the company of a nationwide sushi restaurant group, which operates locations domestically and internationally.

"The year's tuna heralds good luck," stated the business owner, a regular participant at the annual January sale.

Referred to as the Tuna King, this industry figure is renowned 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 journalists that he was "astonished at the winning bid," stating, "I expected we would be able to acquire it a little at a lower price, but the price skyrocketed in no time."

This latest acquisition surpasses his own record purchases:

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

Even after once remarking that he thought he "did too much," he has now gone on to surpass his personal record once again.

A Tradition of Exorbitant Bids

The opening auction at the Tokyo fish market is typically known for sky-high prices. The previous year, the initial tuna was bought for 207 million yen by another food company, which stated the fish would be featured at its eateries across Japan.

The frenetic atmosphere at the fish market during these pre-dawn auctions has become a major tourist attraction in Tokyo. Monday's auction, which began around 05:00 local time, was no different.

Swift Service

The multi-million-dollar tuna was shortly thereafter processed for customers at the winner's sushi chains shortly after the auction was finished.

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