Bluefin Fish Commands Historic Price of $3.2m at Tokyo Auction
A massive Pacific bluefin tuna caused a stir at the Tokyo's Toyosu fish market this Monday, garnering a historic bid of 510.3 million yen ($3.2m; ÂŁ2.4m) during the market's inaugural auction of the new year.
The successful offer for the 535-pound fish came from the company of a nationwide sushi restaurant group, which manages restaurants throughout Japan and abroad.
"The year's tuna signals good luck," stated the business owner, a regular participant at the annual first sale.
Referred to as the Tuna King, this entrepreneur is noted for placing substantial bids for bluefin tuna at these auspicious year-opening auctions.
Bidding Shock and Record-Setting Precedent
After the auction, the successful bidder admitted to the press that he was "surprised at the final price," adding, "I believed we would be able to purchase it a little for less, but the price skyrocketed rapidly."
This new acquisition surpasses his own historic purchases:
- He secured a tuna for 56.5 million yen back in 2012.
- He spent 155 million yen in 2013.
- In 2019, he won a tuna for 333.6 million yen ($2.1m).
Despite previously commenting that he thought he "did too much," he has now proceeded to surpass his personal record another time.
An Annual Spectacle of Exorbitant Bids
The inaugural auction at the Toyosu fish market is typically characterized by exorbitant prices. In the prior year, the first tuna was purchased for 207 million yen by a different sushi chain operator, which indicated the fish would be available at its restaurants throughout the country.
The high-energy atmosphere at the fish market during these pre-dawn auctions has transformed into a must-see spectacle in Tokyo. Monday's auction, which commenced around 05:00 local time, was no exception.
Immediate Consumption
The record-priced tuna was quickly prepared for diners at the bidder's sushi restaurants shortly after the auction ended.
"I feel like I've started the year in a good way after tasting something so auspicious as the year gets underway," shared one satisfied patron.