Bluefin Tuna Fetches Record Price of $3.2 million at Tokyo Auction
A massive Pacific bluefin tuna caused a stir at the Toyosu fish market this Monday, securing a unprecedented bid of 510.3 million yen ($3.2 million; £2.4m) during the venue's inaugural auction of the calendar year.
The winning offer for the 243-kilogram fish was placed by the parent firm of a popular sushi chain, which operates restaurants across the country and overseas.
"The year's tuna heralds good luck," remarked the entrepreneur, a regular participant at the annual new year's auction.
Referred to as the Tuna King, this businessman is renowned for submitting substantial bids for bluefin tuna at these symbolic new year auctions.
Auction Surprise and Historic Past
Following the auction, the winner admitted to reporters that he was "taken aback at the final price," stating, "I believed we would be able to purchase it a little for less, but the price skyrocketed in no time."
This most recent purchase surpasses his own notable purchases:
- He paid 56.5 million yen away in 2012.
- He paid 155 million yen the following year.
- In 2019, he acquired a tuna for 333.6 million yen ($2.1m).
Even after once saying that he thought he "bid too high," he has now gone on to shatter his own record once again.
An Annual Spectacle of Exorbitant Bids
The first auction at the Tokyo fish market is typically characterized by exceptionally high prices. In the prior year, the first tuna was purchased for 207 million yen by another culinary group, which indicated the fish would be served at its eateries across Japan.
The high-energy energy at the fish market during these pre-sunrise auctions has become a major tourist attraction in Tokyo. Monday's auction, which started around 05:00 local time, was no exception.
Immediate Consumption
The extremely valuable tuna was promptly sliced up for customers at the winner's sushi restaurants immediately after the auction ended.
"I believe like I've started the year in a good way after consuming something so lucky as the year starts," remarked one satisfied diner.
