Pacific Bluefin Tuna Commands Unprecedented Price of 3.2 million dollars at Japanese Capital New Year Sale
A bulky bluefin tuna made headlines at the 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 inaugural auction of the new year.
The winning bid for the 535-pound fish was placed by the company of a well-known sushi restaurant group, which runs outlets throughout Japan and overseas.
"The first tuna heralds good luck," commented the entrepreneur, a notable bidder at the annual new year's auction.
Referred to as the Tuna King, this industry figure is noted for making substantial bids for bluefin tuna at these high-profile January auctions.
Bidding Shock and Historic Precedent
After the auction, the successful bidder told reporters that he was "astonished at the amount," adding, "I expected we would be able to buy it a little at a lower price, but the price skyrocketed in no time."
This latest acquisition tops his previous record purchases:
- He bid 56.5 million yen back in 2012.
- He paid 155 million yen a year later.
- In 2019, he acquired a tuna for 333.6 million yen ($2.1m).
Even after once commenting that he thought he "bid too high," he has now proceeded to shatter his personal record once again.
An Annual Spectacle of Exorbitant Bids
The opening auction at the Toyosu fish market is typically known for exorbitant prices. The previous year, the initial tuna was purchased for 207 million yen by another sushi chain operator, which announced the fish would be available at its restaurants throughout the country.
The high-energy atmosphere at the fish market during these pre-dawn auctions has transformed into a popular spectacle in Tokyo. Monday's auction, which commenced around 05:00 local time, was no different.
Immediate Consumption
The multi-million-dollar tuna was shortly thereafter prepared for diners at the winner's sushi restaurants immediately after the auction concluded.
"I believe like I've commenced the year in a auspicious way after consuming something so fortune-bringing as the year gets underway," said one happy customer.
