Bluefin Tuna Commands Record Bid of $3.2 million at Japanese Capital Auction

A massive bluefin tuna created waves at the Tokyo's Toyosu fish market this Monday, garnering a historic bid of 510.3 million yen (3.2 million US dollars; £2.4m) during the venue's inaugural auction of the new year.

The successful bid for the 535-pound fish came from the parent firm of a popular sushi restaurant group, which runs locations domestically and internationally.

"An inaugural tuna signals a prosperous start," commented the business owner, a regular participant at the yearly new year's auction.

Dubbed the Tuna Tycoon, this businessman is renowned for making record bids for bluefin tuna at these auspicious year-opening auctions.

Auction Shock and Record-Setting Past

Following the auction, the winner admitted to the press that he was "astonished at the final price," adding, "I had thought we would be able to acquire it a little at a lower price, but the price skyrocketed in no time."

This new acquisition tops his previous historic purchases:

• He secured a tuna for 56.5 million yen back 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 saying that he thought he "bid too high," he has now proceeded to break his personal record another time.

An Annual Spectacle of Exorbitant Bids

The opening auction at the Toyosu fish market is notoriously characterized by sky-high prices. The previous year, the first tuna was acquired for 207 million yen by a different food company, which stated the fish would be available at its eateries across Japan.

The intense energy at the fish market during these pre-sunrise auctions has transformed into a major 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 quickly prepared for diners at the winner's sushi restaurants soon after the auction was finished.

"I feel like I've begun the year in a positive way after eating something so lucky as the year starts," remarked one elated customer.