Bluefin Tuna Fetches Unprecedented Price of $3.2 million at Japanese Capital New Year Sale
A substantial Pacific bluefin tuna caused a stir at the 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 opening auction of the new year.
The winning bid for the 535-pound fish was submitted by the operator of a nationwide sushi chain, which manages restaurants domestically and internationally.
"An inaugural tuna heralds a prosperous start," commented the company president, a notable figure at the annual new year's auction.
Referred to as the Tuna King, this entrepreneur is renowned for placing record bids for premium bluefin tuna at these symbolic January auctions.
Bidding Shock and Historic Precedent
Following the auction, the winner told reporters that he was "astonished at the final price," noting, "I expected we would be able to acquire it a little for less, but the price soared before you knew it."
This latest acquisition tops his previous record purchases:
- He bid 56.5 million yen back in 2012.
- He spent 155 million yen the following year.
- In 2019, he won a tuna for 333.6 million yen ($2.1 million).
Despite previously saying that he thought he "bid too high," he has now managed to shatter his personal record another time.
A Tradition of High Prices
The first auction at the Toyosu fish market is typically associated with exceptionally high prices. Last year, the initial tuna was acquired for 207 million yen by a separate food company, which announced the fish would be available at its eateries throughout the country.
The intense atmosphere at the fish market during these pre-dawn auctions has evolved into a must-see tourist attraction in Tokyo. Monday's auction, which started around 05:00 local time, was no different.
From Auction to Plate
The record-priced tuna was quickly sliced up for diners at the bidder's sushi chains shortly after the auction ended.
"I sense like I've begun the year in a positive way after tasting something so fortune-bringing as the year starts," shared one elated diner.
