Bluefin Tuna Commands Historic Sum of $3.2m at Tokyo New Year Sale
A massive Pacific bluefin tuna caused a stir at the Toyosu fish market this Monday, achieving a unprecedented bid of 510.3 million yen ($3.2 million; £2.4m) during the market's inaugural auction of the calendar year.
The top offer for the 243kg fish came from the company of a well-known sushi restaurant group, which operates locations domestically and abroad.
"The year's tuna brings a prosperous start," stated the entrepreneur, a notable participant at the yearly new year's auction.
Dubbed the King of Tuna, this industry figure is renowned for placing record bids for premium bluefin tuna at these symbolic new year auctions.
Auction Shock and Record-Setting Past
Following the auction, the winner informed journalists that he was "surprised at the winning bid," adding, "I had thought we would be able to purchase it a little at a lower price, but the price escalated before you knew it."
This most recent purchase tops his own record purchases:
- He bid 56.5 million yen back in 2012.
- He paid 155 million yen the following year.
- In 2019, he purchased a tuna for 333.6 million yen (2.1 million dollars).
Despite once remarking that he thought he "overdid it," he has now managed to shatter his own record once again.
An Annual Spectacle of Exorbitant Bids
The opening auction at the Toyosu fish market is notoriously known for sky-high prices. Last year, the initial tuna was purchased for 207 million yen by a different sushi chain operator, which indicated the fish would be available at its restaurants throughout the country.
The high-energy energy at the fish market during these early morning auctions has evolved into a popular tourist attraction in Tokyo. Monday's auction, which began around 05:00 local time, was no different.
Swift Service
The extremely valuable tuna was promptly sliced up for customers at the bidder's sushi restaurants shortly after the auction was finished.
"I believe like I've commenced the year in a good way after eating something so auspicious as the year starts," shared one satisfied diner.
