Bluefin Tuna Sells for Record Bid of 3.2 million dollars at Japanese Capital New Year Sale
A massive Pacific bluefin tuna created waves at the Tokyo's Toyosu fish market this Monday, garnering a historic bid of 510.3 million yen ($3.2 million; £2.4m) during the venue's first auction of the new year.
The winning offer for the 243kg fish was placed by the operator of a popular sushi chain, which manages locations domestically and overseas.
"An inaugural tuna brings a prosperous start," commented the company president, a regular participant at the annual first sale.
Known as the King of Tuna, this entrepreneur is noted for making high bids for bluefin tuna at these auspicious year-opening auctions.
Auction Surprise and Historic Precedent
After the auction, the successful bidder admitted to the press that he was "taken aback at the amount," noting, "I expected we would be able to buy it a little for less, but the price escalated before you knew it."
This new purchase tops his previous historic purchases:
- He secured a tuna for 56.5 million yen away in 2012.
- He paid 155 million yen a year later.
- In 2019, he acquired a tuna for 333.6 million yen ($2.1m).
Despite once saying that he thought he "overdid it," he has now managed to shatter his own record once again.
A Tradition of Exorbitant Bids
The first auction at the Toyosu fish market is typically associated with exceptionally high prices. In the prior year, the initial tuna was acquired for 207 million yen by a separate culinary group, which stated the fish would be featured at its restaurants throughout the country.
The frenetic energy at the fish market during these early morning auctions has transformed into a must-see tourist attraction in Tokyo. Monday's auction, which commenced around 05:00 local time, was equally bustling.
Swift Service
The multi-million-dollar tuna was shortly thereafter processed for customers at the bidder's sushi restaurants immediately after the auction concluded.
"I sense like I've commenced the year in a positive way after tasting something so lucky as the year gets underway," remarked one happy diner.
