Pacific Bluefin Tuna Fetches Record Price of $3.2m at Japanese Capital Auction

A bulky bluefin tuna caused a stir at the Toyosu fish market this Monday, securing a historic bid of 510.3 million yen ($3.2m; £2.4m) during the venue's opening auction of the year.

The winning bid for the 535-pound fish was submitted by the company of a popular sushi restaurant group, which operates restaurants across the country and overseas.

"The first tuna brings a prosperous start," stated the business owner, a regular figure at the traditional first sale.

Known as the Tuna Tycoon, this industry figure is noted for placing record bids for bluefin tuna at these high-profile January auctions.

Bidding Surprise and Record-Setting Precedent

Following the auction, the winner admitted to journalists that he was "taken aback at the amount," adding, "I believed we would be able to buy it a little for less, but the price soared before you knew it."

This new purchase surpasses his own notable purchases:

• He bid 56.5 million yen back in 2012.
• He bid 155 million yen a year later.
• In 2019, he acquired a tuna for 333.6 million yen ($2.1 million).

Despite once commenting that he thought he "did too much," he has now managed to shatter his personal record yet again.

An Annual Spectacle of High Prices

The first auction at the Tokyo fish market is notoriously characterized by sky-high prices. Last year, the initial tuna was bought for 207 million yen by another culinary group, which stated the fish would be served at its restaurants throughout the country.

The high-energy atmosphere 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 different.

Immediate Consumption

The extremely valuable tuna was shortly thereafter prepared for patrons at the entrepreneur's sushi establishments shortly after the auction ended.

"I believe like I've commenced the year in a good way after consuming something so fortune-bringing as the year starts," remarked one elated diner.