Pacific Bluefin Tuna Fetches Historic Price of $3.2m at Tokyo New Year Sale
A massive bluefin tuna caused a stir at the Tokyo's Toyosu fish market this Monday, garnering a record-breaking bid of 510.3 million yen ($3.2 million; £2.4m) during the market's opening auction of the new year.
The winning bid for the 243kg fish was placed by the company of a popular sushi restaurant group, which manages locations across the country and abroad.
"The year's tuna brings good luck," commented the company president, a regular figure at the annual new year's auction.
Known as the Tuna King, this businessman is renowned for making record bids for premium bluefin tuna at these high-profile January auctions.
Bidding Shock and Record-Setting Precedent
After the auction, the winner told reporters that he was "surprised at the amount," stating, "I had thought we would be able to purchase it a little at a lower price, but the price soared in no time."
This latest acquisition exceeds his own historic purchases:
- He secured a tuna for 56.5 million yen back in 2012.
- He spent 155 million yen a year later.
- In 2019, he purchased a tuna for 333.6 million yen ($2.1m).
Despite once commenting that he thought he "did too much," he has now managed to surpass his own record once again.
An Annual Spectacle of High Prices
The inaugural auction at the Toyosu fish market is typically known for sky-high prices. In the prior year, the first tuna was purchased for 207 million yen by a different sushi chain operator, which stated the fish would be served at its locations across Japan.
The frenetic activity at the fish market during these pre-dawn auctions has transformed into a popular spectacle in Tokyo. Monday's auction, which commenced around 05:00 local time, was no different.
From Auction to Plate
The multi-million-dollar tuna was promptly prepared for customers at the bidder's sushi establishments immediately after the auction concluded.
"I feel like I've started the year in a auspicious way after eating something so lucky as the year starts," remarked one happy customer.
