Bluefin Tuna Fetches Historic Price of $3.2m at Tokyo Auction
A substantial Pacific bluefin tuna created waves at the Tokyo's Toyosu fish market this Monday, securing a unprecedented bid of 510.3 million yen (3.2 million US dollars; £2.4m) during the venue's first auction of the year.
The top offer for the 243-kilogram fish came from the operator of a popular sushi restaurant group, which manages restaurants throughout Japan and internationally.
"The year's tuna brings good luck," commented the entrepreneur, a notable figure at the traditional January sale.
Known as the Tuna King, this businessman is famous for submitting record bids for bluefin tuna at these high-profile January auctions.
Auction Shock and Historic Past
Following the auction, the winner told journalists that he was "surprised at the amount," stating, "I believed we would be able to purchase it a little cheaper, but the price soared before you knew it."
This new acquisition exceeds his previous record purchases:
- He secured a tuna for 56.5 million yen back in 2012.
- He bid 155 million yen the following year.
- In 2019, he won a tuna for 333.6 million yen ($2.1 million).
Despite once remarking that he thought he "overdid it," he has now gone on to shatter his personal record once again.
A Tradition of Exorbitant Bids
The inaugural auction at the Toyosu fish market is typically known for sky-high prices. The previous year, the initial tuna was acquired for 207 million yen by another sushi chain operator, which stated the fish would be featured at its locations throughout the country.
The frenetic atmosphere at the fish market during these early morning auctions has become a popular spectacle in Tokyo. Monday's auction, which commenced around 05:00 local time, was no exception.
From Auction to Plate
The multi-million-dollar tuna was shortly thereafter prepared for patrons at the winner's sushi establishments shortly after the auction concluded.
"I feel like I've begun the year in a positive way after consuming something so auspicious as the year begins," remarked one happy diner.
