Pacific Bluefin Fish Commands Record Price of $3.2m at Tokyo New Year Sale
A massive Pacific bluefin tuna caused a stir at the Tokyo's Toyosu fish market this Monday, garnering a record-breaking bid of 510.3 million yen ($3.2 million; £2.4m) during the venue's inaugural auction of the year.
The successful offer for the 243kg fish was submitted by the parent firm of a nationwide sushi chain, which runs locations across the country and abroad.
"An inaugural tuna brings fortune," stated the entrepreneur, a familiar bidder at the traditional January sale.
Known as the King of Tuna, this businessman is famous for making substantial bids for premium bluefin tuna at these high-profile year-opening auctions.
Auction Surprise and Historic Past
After the auction, the successful bidder informed reporters that he was "taken aback at the amount," stating, "I had thought we would be able to acquire it a little at a lower price, but the price escalated before you knew it."
This most recent purchase surpasses his own historic purchases:
- He bid 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 previously saying that he thought he "bid too high," he has now managed to shatter his personal record yet again.
An Annual Spectacle of High Prices
The inaugural auction at the Tokyo fish market is traditionally characterized by exceptionally high prices. The previous year, the first tuna was acquired for 207 million yen by a separate food company, which indicated the fish would be available at its eateries nationwide.
The high-energy energy at the fish market during these pre-dawn auctions has become a must-see event in Tokyo. Monday's auction, which began around 05:00 local time, was no different.
Swift Service
The record-priced tuna was promptly processed for customers at the winner's sushi restaurants soon after the auction was finished.
"I believe like I've started the year in a positive way after eating something so fortune-bringing as the year gets underway," said one elated customer.
