Pacific Bluefin Tuna Fetches Record Price of 3.2 million dollars at Japanese Capital New Year Sale
A bulky bluefin tuna made headlines at the Tokyo's Toyosu fish market this Monday, achieving a historic bid of 510.3 million yen ($3.2m; £2.4m) during the venue's first auction of the year.
The successful offer for the 243-kilogram fish came from the operator of a well-known sushi restaurant group, which runs outlets domestically and overseas.
"The first tuna heralds a prosperous start," commented the entrepreneur, a notable bidder at the annual January sale.
Dubbed the Tuna King, this industry figure is renowned for making substantial bids for premium bluefin tuna at these auspicious January auctions.
Auction Surprise and Historic Precedent
After the auction, the successful bidder admitted to reporters that he was "astonished at the winning bid," adding, "I had thought we would be able to purchase it a little cheaper, but the price skyrocketed in no time."
This new purchase surpasses his own notable purchases:
- He secured a tuna for 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 dollars).
Despite previously remarking that he thought he "bid too high," he has now managed to break his personal record once again.
A Tradition of High Prices
The opening auction at the Tokyo fish market is typically associated with exceptionally high prices. In the prior year, the initial tuna was purchased for 207 million yen by a different culinary group, which announced the fish would be served at its locations across Japan.
The high-energy atmosphere at the fish market during these pre-sunrise auctions has become a popular tourist attraction in Tokyo. Monday's auction, which started around 05:00 local time, was no exception.
From Auction to Plate
The multi-million-dollar tuna was quickly prepared for diners at the entrepreneur's sushi chains immediately after the auction ended.
"I believe like I've commenced the year in a auspicious way after consuming something so lucky as the year gets underway," shared one elated patron.
