Bluefin Tuna Sells for Historic Sum of 3.2 million dollars at Tokyo Auction
A massive Pacific bluefin tuna made headlines at the Tokyo's Toyosu fish market this Monday, achieving a historic bid of 510.3 million yen ($3.2 million; £2.4m) during the market's opening auction of the new year.
The winning bid for the 535-pound fish came from the parent firm of a nationwide sushi restaurant group, which runs locations across the country and abroad.
"The year's tuna brings fortune," remarked the company president, a familiar bidder at the traditional new year's auction.
Dubbed the Tuna King, this businessman is noted for submitting substantial bids for premium bluefin tuna at these auspicious year-opening auctions.
Auction Surprise and Record-Setting Precedent
Following the auction, the successful bidder admitted to reporters that he was "astonished at the final price," adding, "I had thought we would be able to purchase it a little for less, but the price escalated in no time."
This latest acquisition surpasses his own historic purchases:
- He bid 56.5 million yen away in 2012.
- He bid 155 million yen in 2013.
- In 2019, he acquired a tuna for 333.6 million yen ($2.1 million).
Even after previously commenting that he thought he "bid too high," he has now proceeded to break his personal record once again.
A Tradition of Exorbitant Bids
The first auction at the Tokyo fish market is notoriously characterized by exorbitant prices. The previous year, the first tuna was acquired for 207 million yen by a different sushi chain operator, which announced the fish would be available at its restaurants throughout the country.
The frenetic atmosphere at the fish market during these early morning auctions has transformed into a major spectacle in Tokyo. Monday's auction, which started around 05:00 local time, was equally bustling.
Immediate Consumption
The extremely valuable tuna was promptly prepared for diners at the winner's sushi restaurants soon after the auction was finished.
"I sense like I've started the year in a auspicious way after consuming something so auspicious as the year gets underway," said one elated diner.