Pacific Bluefin Fish Commands Record Sum of 3.2 million dollars at Japanese Capital Auction

A substantial bluefin tuna made headlines at the Toyosu fish market this Monday, securing a historic bid of 510.3 million yen (3.2 million US dollars; £2.4m) during the market's inaugural auction of the year.

The top offer for the 243kg fish was submitted by the company of a nationwide sushi restaurant group, which runs outlets across the country and overseas.

"The year's tuna brings a prosperous start," remarked the company president, a notable figure at the traditional January sale.

Referred to as the Tuna King, this businessman is renowned for making substantial bids for bluefin tuna at these symbolic January auctions.

Bidding Surprise and Record-Setting Past

Following the auction, the successful bidder told journalists that he was "taken aback at the amount," stating, "I believed we would be able to purchase it a little cheaper, but the price skyrocketed rapidly."

This latest acquisition tops his own record purchases:

• He secured a tuna for 56.5 million yen away in 2012.
• He paid 155 million yen in 2013.
• In 2019, he acquired a tuna for 333.6 million yen ($2.1m).

Even after previously saying that he thought he "bid too high," he has now gone on to break his personal record another time.

A Tradition of High Prices

The first auction at the Toyosu fish market is traditionally characterized by sky-high prices. In the prior year, the initial tuna was bought for 207 million yen by another culinary group, which announced the fish would be available at its locations across Japan.

The frenetic energy at the fish market during these early morning auctions has evolved into a major event in Tokyo. Monday's auction, which started around 05:00 local time, was no different.

From Auction to Plate

The extremely valuable tuna was quickly sliced up for diners at the winner's sushi restaurants shortly after the auction concluded.

"I feel like I've begun the year in a good way after consuming something so lucky as the year gets underway," shared one happy diner.