Bluefin Tuna Commands Unprecedented Bid of 3.2 million dollars at Japanese Capital New Year Sale
A massive Pacific bluefin tuna created waves at the Tokyo's Toyosu fish market this Monday, achieving a record-breaking bid of 510.3 million yen ($3.2 million; ÂŁ2.4m) during the market's inaugural auction of the calendar year.
The successful offer for the 243kg fish came from the operator of a well-known sushi restaurant group, which runs restaurants across the country and internationally.
"The year's tuna signals good luck," commented the business owner, a regular bidder at the traditional January sale.
Referred to as the King of Tuna, this industry figure is renowned for making high bids for premium bluefin tuna at these auspicious new year auctions.
Bidding Surprise and Record-Setting Past
After the auction, the winner informed reporters that he was "astonished at the amount," noting, "I had thought we would be able to buy it a little at a lower price, but the price skyrocketed before you knew it."
This most recent acquisition tops his own record purchases:
- He paid 56.5 million yen away in 2012.
- He paid 155 million yen the following year.
- In 2019, he won a tuna for 333.6 million yen ($2.1 million).
Even after previously saying that he thought he "bid too high," he has now proceeded to surpass his personal record another time.
A Tradition of High Prices
The opening auction at the Tokyo fish market is traditionally known for exorbitant prices. Last year, the first tuna was purchased for 207 million yen by a different culinary group, which stated the fish would be featured at its eateries across Japan.
The intense energy at the fish market during these early morning auctions has become a major event in Tokyo. Monday's auction, which started around 05:00 local time, was no exception.
From Auction to Plate
The record-priced tuna was shortly thereafter sliced up for patrons at the bidder's sushi establishments soon after the auction concluded.
"I believe like I've commenced the year in a auspicious way after eating something so fortune-bringing as the year gets underway," said one elated patron.