Pacific Bluefin Tuna Fetches Historic Price of 3.2 million dollars at Japanese Capital Auction

A massive Pacific bluefin tuna created waves at the Tokyo's Toyosu fish market this Monday, achieving a unprecedented bid of 510.3 million yen ($3.2m; £2.4m) during the market's opening auction of the year.

The top offer for the 243kg fish came from the operator of a well-known sushi chain, which manages locations across the country and internationally.

"The first tuna brings good luck," remarked the company president, a familiar participant at the annual first sale.

Referred to as the Tuna King, this entrepreneur is noted for making substantial bids for bluefin tuna at these high-profile January auctions.

Bidding Surprise and Historic Past

Following the auction, the winner admitted to journalists that he was "astonished at the amount," adding, "I had thought we would be able to buy it a little at a lower price, but the price skyrocketed before you knew it."

This new acquisition tops his own historic purchases:

• He bid 56.5 million yen away in 2012.
• He paid 155 million yen a year later.
• In 2019, he purchased a tuna for 333.6 million yen (2.1 million dollars).

Even after once saying that he thought he "bid too high," he has now managed to shatter his own record yet again.

A Tradition of Exorbitant Bids

The opening auction at the Tokyo fish market is traditionally associated with sky-high prices. In the prior year, the initial tuna was acquired for 207 million yen by another culinary group, which stated the fish would be available at its locations throughout the country.

The intense atmosphere at the fish market during these early morning auctions has transformed into a must-see spectacle in Tokyo. Monday's auction, which commenced around 05:00 local time, was equally bustling.

Swift Service

The multi-million-dollar tuna was shortly thereafter prepared for diners at the winner's sushi restaurants soon after the auction ended.

"I believe like I've started the year in a auspicious way after tasting something so lucky as the year begins," shared one satisfied patron.