Bluefin Fish Sells for Historic Bid of $3.2 million at Tokyo Auction
A bulky Pacific bluefin tuna made headlines at the Toyosu fish market this Monday, achieving a record-breaking bid of 510.3 million yen ($3.2 million; £2.4m) during the venue's inaugural auction of the calendar year.
The winning offer for the 243kg fish was placed by the parent firm of a well-known sushi restaurant group, which manages outlets across the country and internationally.
"The year's tuna brings a prosperous start," stated the business owner, a regular bidder at the yearly first sale.
Dubbed the Tuna King, this businessman is renowned for submitting substantial bids for bluefin tuna at these symbolic year-opening auctions.
Bidding Shock and Historic Precedent
Following the auction, the winner admitted to journalists that he was "astonished at the final price," stating, "I had thought we would be able to buy it a little cheaper, but the price soared rapidly."
This most recent purchase surpasses his previous notable purchases:
- He bid 56.5 million yen away in 2012.
- He bid 155 million yen the following year.
- In 2019, he acquired a tuna for 333.6 million yen ($2.1m).
Even after once remarking that he thought he "overdid it," he has now managed to surpass his own record once again.
A Tradition of High Prices
The first auction at the Tokyo fish market is notoriously associated with exceptionally high prices. Last year, the first tuna was bought for 207 million yen by a separate culinary group, which announced the fish would be served at its eateries across Japan.
The high-energy atmosphere at the fish market during these pre-sunrise auctions has become a major tourist attraction 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 processed for patrons at the bidder's sushi chains immediately after the auction was finished.
"I feel like I've begun the year in a positive way after consuming something so auspicious as the year starts," shared one satisfied patron.
