Bluefin Tuna Commands Unprecedented Price of 3.2 million dollars at Tokyo Auction

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

The successful bid for the 535-pound fish came from the operator of a nationwide sushi chain, which runs restaurants across the country and overseas.

"The year's tuna heralds a prosperous start," stated the entrepreneur, a notable figure at the yearly January sale.

Referred to as the King of Tuna, this industry figure is famous for making high bids for bluefin tuna at these high-profile new year auctions.

Auction Shock and Historic Precedent

Following the auction, the successful bidder told the press that he was "astonished at the winning bid," stating, "I had thought we would be able to acquire it a little cheaper, but the price skyrocketed before you knew it."

This latest acquisition 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 acquired a tuna for 333.6 million yen ($2.1 million).

Even after previously remarking that he thought he "did too much," he has now managed to shatter his own record another time.

An Annual Spectacle of High Prices

The opening auction at the Toyosu fish market is notoriously associated with exceptionally high prices. Last year, the initial tuna was acquired for 207 million yen by a separate food company, which stated the fish would be served at its eateries throughout the country.

The high-energy energy at the fish market during these pre-dawn auctions has transformed into a major spectacle in Tokyo. Monday's auction, which started around 05:00 local time, was no different.

From Auction to Plate

The multi-million-dollar tuna was promptly prepared for customers at the winner's sushi establishments immediately after the auction concluded.

"I feel like I've started the year in a auspicious way after eating something so auspicious as the year begins," shared one happy diner.