Bluefin Tuna Commands Record Bid of $3.2 million at Tokyo Auction

A substantial bluefin tuna caused a stir at the Tokyo's Toyosu fish market this Monday, achieving a record-breaking bid of 510.3 million yen (3.2 million US dollars; £2.4m) during the market's inaugural auction of the calendar year.

The top bid for the 243kg fish came from the company of a popular sushi restaurant group, which runs restaurants domestically and internationally.

"The first tuna brings fortune," stated the entrepreneur, a familiar figure at the traditional first sale.

Dubbed the Tuna Tycoon, this industry figure is noted for submitting record bids for bluefin tuna at these auspicious new year auctions.

Auction Surprise and Record-Setting Past

After the auction, the winner informed journalists that he was "surprised at the final price," noting, "I expected we would be able to acquire it a little for less, but the price soared before you knew it."

This most recent purchase tops his own historic purchases:

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

Even after once remarking that he thought he "did too much," he has now managed to break his personal record another time.

An Annual Spectacle of High Prices

The inaugural auction at the Toyosu fish market is traditionally characterized by sky-high prices. The previous year, the initial tuna was purchased for 207 million yen by a separate food company, which stated the fish would be served at its locations throughout the country.

The high-energy energy at the fish market during these pre-sunrise auctions has transformed into a must-see spectacle in Tokyo. Monday's auction, which began around 05:00 local time, was equally bustling.

From Auction to Plate

The record-priced tuna was promptly prepared for diners at the bidder's sushi establishments shortly after the auction ended.

"I believe like I've commenced the year in a good way after tasting something so auspicious as the year starts," shared one satisfied diner.