Pacific Bluefin Tuna Sells for Record Bid of $3.2 million at Japanese Capital New Year Sale
A massive bluefin tuna made headlines at the Toyosu fish market this Monday, achieving a historic bid of 510.3 million yen ($3.2m; ÂŁ2.4m) during the venue's first auction of the new year.
The winning offer for the 535-pound fish came from the parent firm of a popular sushi restaurant group, which operates locations across the country and internationally.
"The first tuna signals a prosperous start," remarked the company president, a familiar participant at the annual January sale.
Known as the King of Tuna, this businessman is famous for submitting high bids for bluefin tuna at these symbolic year-opening auctions.
Auction Surprise and Historic Past
Following the auction, the winner informed reporters that he was "taken aback at the final price," adding, "I had thought we would be able to purchase it a little for less, but the price escalated before you knew it."
This most recent acquisition surpasses his previous record purchases:
- He paid 56.5 million yen away in 2012.
- He spent 155 million yen a year later.
- In 2019, he won a tuna for 333.6 million yen (2.1 million dollars).
Even after previously remarking that he thought he "bid too high," he has now gone on to shatter his own record another time.
An Annual Spectacle of Exorbitant Bids
The first auction at the Tokyo fish market is typically associated with exceptionally high prices. The previous year, the initial tuna was acquired for 207 million yen by a different culinary group, which indicated the fish would be served at its restaurants throughout the country.
The frenetic energy at the fish market during these pre-dawn auctions has transformed into a major tourist attraction in Tokyo. Monday's auction, which began around 05:00 local time, was no different.
Swift Service
The extremely valuable tuna was promptly sliced up for patrons at the entrepreneur's sushi establishments soon after the auction ended.
"I believe like I've started the year in a positive way after consuming something so auspicious as the year starts," shared one happy diner.