Bluefin Tuna Sells for Historic Sum of $3.2m at Tokyo Auction

A substantial bluefin tuna caused a stir 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 opening auction of the year.

The winning bid for the 535-pound fish was submitted by the operator of a popular sushi chain, which manages locations domestically and internationally.

"The first tuna brings fortune," commented the company president, a regular participant at the traditional first sale.

Dubbed the King of Tuna, this entrepreneur is renowned for making substantial bids for bluefin tuna at these auspicious year-opening auctions.

Auction Surprise and Record-Setting Past

Following the auction, the successful bidder informed journalists that he was "astonished at the winning bid," noting, "I believed we would be able to buy it a little at a lower price, but the price escalated in no time."

This new purchase surpasses his own notable purchases:

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

Despite previously saying that he thought he "did too much," he has now proceeded to break his own record once again.

A Tradition of Exorbitant Bids

The opening auction at the Tokyo fish market is notoriously associated with exceptionally high prices. In the prior year, the initial tuna was purchased for 207 million yen by a separate food company, which stated the fish would be featured at its eateries nationwide.

The frenetic atmosphere at the fish market during these early morning auctions has transformed into a major tourist attraction in Tokyo. Monday's auction, which began around 05:00 local time, was no exception.

Swift Service

The multi-million-dollar tuna was quickly prepared for customers at the bidder's sushi establishments soon after the auction was finished.

"I feel like I've started the year in a positive way after tasting something so auspicious as the year begins," remarked one happy patron.