Bluefin Tuna Sells for Historic Sum of $3.2 million at Tokyo New Year Sale
A substantial Pacific bluefin tuna caused a stir at the Tokyo's Toyosu fish market this Monday, securing a record-breaking bid of 510.3 million yen (3.2 million US dollars; £2.4m) during the market's inaugural auction of the calendar year.
The top bid for the 243-kilogram fish came from the operator of a nationwide sushi restaurant group, which operates restaurants across the country and overseas.
"An inaugural tuna brings good luck," remarked the entrepreneur, a familiar bidder at the traditional first sale.
Dubbed the Tuna King, this entrepreneur is noted for submitting high bids for premium bluefin tuna at these auspicious January auctions.
Auction Shock and Historic Precedent
Following the auction, the successful bidder admitted to reporters that he was "surprised at the winning bid," adding, "I believed we would be able to buy it a little for less, but the price escalated in no time."
This latest purchase surpasses his previous historic purchases:
- He secured a tuna for 56.5 million yen back 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 once commenting that he thought he "overdid it," he has now proceeded to break his personal record another time.
A Tradition of High Prices
The first auction at the Toyosu fish market is notoriously associated with sky-high prices. In the prior year, the first tuna was bought for 207 million yen by another food company, which indicated the fish would be featured at its locations throughout the country.
The high-energy energy at the fish market during these pre-sunrise auctions has transformed into a major tourist attraction in Tokyo. Monday's auction, which started around 05:00 local time, was no exception.
From Auction to Plate
The record-priced tuna was promptly sliced up for diners at the entrepreneur's sushi restaurants shortly after the auction was finished.
"I feel like I've begun the year in a positive way after tasting something so auspicious as the year begins," remarked one elated diner.
