Pacific Bluefin Tuna Sells for Unprecedented Price of $3.2 million at Tokyo New Year Sale
A substantial Pacific bluefin tuna created waves at the Tokyo's Toyosu fish market this Monday, securing a historic bid of 510.3 million yen ($3.2m; £2.4m) during the market's first auction of the new year.
The top bid for the 243-kilogram fish was submitted by the company of a nationwide sushi chain, which manages locations throughout Japan and internationally.
"The year's tuna heralds a prosperous start," stated the entrepreneur, a familiar bidder at the annual first sale.
Referred to as the King of Tuna, this entrepreneur is famous for placing substantial bids for bluefin tuna at these high-profile year-opening auctions.
Bidding Shock and Record-Setting Past
Following the auction, the successful bidder told the press that he was "astonished at the final price," stating, "I believed we would be able to purchase it a little cheaper, but the price escalated rapidly."
This most recent acquisition exceeds his previous record purchases:
- He secured a tuna for 56.5 million yen away in 2012.
- He paid 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 shatter his own record once again.
A Tradition of Exorbitant Bids
The first auction at the Toyosu fish market is notoriously characterized by exceptionally high prices. The previous year, the first tuna was purchased for 207 million yen by a different sushi chain operator, which indicated the fish would be featured at its restaurants throughout the country.
The high-energy energy at the fish market during these pre-dawn auctions has evolved into a must-see spectacle in Tokyo. Monday's auction, which began around 05:00 local time, was no exception.
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The record-priced tuna was quickly prepared for diners at the entrepreneur's sushi restaurants immediately after the auction ended.
"I feel like I've commenced the year in a positive way after tasting something so lucky as the year gets underway," shared one satisfied patron.
