Pacific Bluefin Tuna Sells for Historic Bid of 3.2 million dollars at Japanese Capital New Year Sale
A massive Pacific bluefin tuna caused a stir at the Toyosu fish market this Monday, garnering a unprecedented bid of 510.3 million yen ($3.2 million; £2.4m) during the venue's opening auction of the new year.
The successful offer for the 535-pound fish was submitted by the parent firm of a well-known sushi chain, which runs outlets domestically and internationally.
"An inaugural tuna brings a prosperous start," stated the company president, a regular bidder at the yearly first sale.
Known as the Tuna King, this businessman is renowned for submitting substantial bids for bluefin tuna at these high-profile new year auctions.
Bidding Shock and Record-Setting Past
After the auction, the winner informed reporters that he was "taken aback at the final price," adding, "I believed we would be able to buy it a little cheaper, but the price soared before you knew it."
This most recent purchase tops his previous historic purchases:
- He paid 56.5 million yen away in 2012.
- He spent 155 million yen a year later.
- In 2019, he acquired a tuna for 333.6 million yen ($2.1m).
Even after previously remarking that he thought he "bid too high," he has now proceeded to break his personal record yet again.
An Annual Spectacle of Exorbitant Bids
The first auction at the Tokyo fish market is typically associated with exceptionally high prices. The previous year, the initial tuna was bought for 207 million yen by a separate culinary group, which announced the fish would be served at its locations throughout the country.
The intense energy at the fish market during these pre-dawn auctions has evolved into a must-see tourist attraction in Tokyo. Monday's auction, which began around 05:00 local time, was no different.
Swift Service
The record-priced tuna was shortly thereafter prepared for diners at the winner's sushi restaurants immediately after the auction concluded.
"I sense like I've begun the year in a good way after tasting something so fortune-bringing as the year begins," shared one happy diner.
