Bluefin Tuna Commands Record Sum of 3.2 million dollars at Japanese Capital New Year Sale
A bulky Pacific bluefin tuna created waves at the Tokyo's Toyosu fish market this Monday, garnering a historic bid of 510.3 million yen (3.2 million US dollars; £2.4m) during the venue's inaugural auction of the year.
The successful bid for the 535-pound fish came from the company of a popular sushi restaurant group, which operates locations across the country and internationally.
"An inaugural tuna heralds good luck," commented the company president, a familiar bidder at the yearly first sale.
Known as the Tuna Tycoon, this entrepreneur is renowned for placing high bids for premium bluefin tuna at these high-profile new year auctions.
Bidding Surprise and Record-Setting Past
Following the auction, the successful bidder informed journalists that he was "astonished at the winning bid," adding, "I had thought we would be able to purchase it a little for less, but the price soared before you knew it."
This latest acquisition tops his own historic purchases:
- He paid 56.5 million yen back in 2012.
- He bid 155 million yen in 2013.
- In 2019, he purchased a tuna for 333.6 million yen ($2.1m).
Despite once commenting that he thought he "overdid it," he has now gone on to shatter his personal record yet again.
An Annual Spectacle of Exorbitant Bids
The first auction at the Tokyo fish market is notoriously characterized by exceptionally high prices. Last year, the initial tuna was acquired for 207 million yen by a different food company, which indicated the fish would be featured at its restaurants nationwide.
The intense atmosphere at the fish market during these pre-sunrise auctions has transformed into a major tourist attraction in Tokyo. Monday's auction, which commenced around 05:00 local time, was no exception.
From Auction to Plate
The extremely valuable tuna was promptly processed for patrons at the entrepreneur's sushi restaurants immediately after the auction concluded.
"I believe like I've commenced the year in a auspicious way after eating something so lucky as the year starts," shared one satisfied patron.