Pacific Bluefin Tuna Commands Historic Price of $3.2m at Tokyo New Year Sale
A bulky Pacific 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 market's opening auction of the new year.
The top bid for the 535-pound fish was placed by the company of a well-known sushi chain, which operates locations across the country and internationally.
"The year's tuna brings a prosperous start," commented the entrepreneur, a notable figure at the annual January sale.
Referred to as the Tuna King, this entrepreneur is renowned for making substantial bids for bluefin tuna at these symbolic new year auctions.
Auction Surprise and Record-Setting Precedent
After the auction, the successful bidder admitted to reporters that he was "surprised at the final price," adding, "I expected we would be able to purchase it a little at a lower price, but the price soared before you knew it."
This latest acquisition exceeds his own record purchases:
- He paid 56.5 million yen away in 2012.
- He bid 155 million yen in 2013.
- In 2019, he won a tuna for 333.6 million yen ($2.1 million).
Even after previously remarking 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 inaugural auction at the Toyosu fish market is traditionally characterized by exceptionally high prices. The previous year, the first tuna was purchased for 207 million yen by a separate culinary group, which stated the fish would be served at its locations across Japan.
The intense atmosphere at the fish market during these early morning auctions has become a popular event in Tokyo. Monday's auction, which started around 05:00 local time, was no exception.
From Auction to Plate
The multi-million-dollar tuna was shortly thereafter prepared for diners at the entrepreneur's sushi establishments soon after the auction was finished.
"I sense like I've started the year in a positive way after eating something so auspicious as the year starts," said one satisfied customer.
