Bluefin Fish Fetches Record Price of 3.2 million dollars at Tokyo Auction

A substantial bluefin tuna caused a stir at the 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 year.

The top bid for the 243kg fish was placed by the company of a well-known sushi chain, which runs restaurants throughout Japan and abroad.

"An inaugural tuna brings fortune," remarked the business owner, a notable participant at the annual new year's auction.

Known as the King of Tuna, this entrepreneur is noted for making high bids for premium bluefin tuna at these high-profile January auctions.

Bidding Shock and Record-Setting Past

Following the auction, the winner admitted to reporters that he was "astonished at the winning bid," stating, "I expected we would be able to buy it a little for less, but the price skyrocketed before you knew it."

This latest purchase tops his previous notable purchases:

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

Even after previously remarking that he thought he "bid too high," he has now proceeded to break his own record once again.

A Tradition of High Prices

The inaugural auction at the Tokyo fish market is typically characterized by exceptionally high prices. Last year, the initial tuna was acquired for 207 million yen by a separate culinary group, which announced the fish would be featured at its eateries throughout the country.

The frenetic atmosphere at the fish market during these pre-sunrise auctions has become a major tourist attraction in Tokyo. Monday's auction, which commenced around 05:00 local time, was no exception.

Swift Service

The record-priced tuna was promptly sliced up for customers at the winner's sushi chains immediately after the auction was finished.

"I sense like I've started the year in a good way after tasting something so fortune-bringing as the year begins," said one elated diner.