Pacific Bluefin Fish Fetches Historic Bid of $3.2 million at Japanese Capital New Year Sale
A bulky Pacific bluefin tuna created waves at the Toyosu fish market this Monday, securing a record-breaking bid of 510.3 million yen ($3.2 million; £2.4m) during the venue's first auction of the calendar year.
The winning bid for the 243-kilogram fish was placed by the parent firm of a well-known sushi chain, which manages restaurants across the country and abroad.
"An inaugural tuna brings good luck," stated the company president, a familiar figure at the yearly new year's auction.
Known as the Tuna King, this entrepreneur is famous for placing substantial bids for premium bluefin tuna at these symbolic year-opening auctions.
Auction Shock and Record-Setting Past
After the auction, the successful bidder admitted to the press that he was "taken aback at the final price," stating, "I believed we would be able to acquire it a little for less, but the price skyrocketed before you knew it."
This most recent purchase exceeds his own historic purchases:
- He secured a tuna for 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 dollars).
Even after previously remarking that he thought he "bid too high," he has now proceeded to shatter his own record once again.
A Tradition of High Prices
The first auction at the Toyosu fish market is traditionally known for exorbitant prices. In the prior year, the initial tuna was bought for 207 million yen by a different food company, which indicated the fish would be served at its eateries nationwide.
The frenetic activity at the fish market during these early morning auctions has become a must-see tourist attraction in Tokyo. Monday's auction, which began around 05:00 local time, was no different.
From Auction to Plate
The multi-million-dollar tuna was quickly sliced up for customers at the bidder's sushi establishments soon after the auction was finished.
"I feel like I've begun the year in a positive way after tasting something so lucky as the year begins," said one elated customer.
