Pacific Bluefin Fish Fetches Record Sum of 3.2 million dollars at Tokyo New Year Sale
A substantial Pacific bluefin tuna created waves at the Tokyo's Toyosu fish market this Monday, achieving a unprecedented bid of 510.3 million yen (3.2 million US dollars; £2.4m) during the venue's opening auction of the calendar year.
The winning bid for the 243kg fish came from the company of a popular sushi restaurant group, which manages restaurants across the country and abroad.
"The first tuna heralds good luck," remarked the business owner, a regular participant at the annual January sale.
Dubbed the Tuna King, this entrepreneur is renowned for submitting high bids for bluefin tuna at these auspicious year-opening auctions.
Bidding Surprise and Historic Past
Following the auction, the successful bidder informed the press that he was "taken aback at the winning bid," stating, "I expected we would be able to acquire it a little cheaper, but the price escalated in no time."
This new acquisition tops his own notable purchases:
- He bid 56.5 million yen away in 2012.
- He spent 155 million yen the following year.
- In 2019, he purchased a tuna for 333.6 million yen ($2.1 million).
Even after previously remarking that he thought he "did too much," he has now proceeded to surpass his own record once again.
A Tradition of Exorbitant Bids
The opening auction at the Toyosu fish market is typically characterized by exceptionally high prices. Last year, the initial tuna was bought for 207 million yen by a separate food company, which announced the fish would be featured at its eateries throughout the country.
The intense atmosphere at the fish market during these pre-dawn auctions has evolved into a major spectacle in Tokyo. Monday's auction, which began around 05:00 local time, was no exception.
Swift Service
The record-priced tuna was quickly sliced up for customers at the bidder's sushi restaurants immediately after the auction ended.
"I sense like I've begun the year in a auspicious way after eating something so auspicious as the year starts," said one happy diner.
