Pacific Bluefin Tuna Sells for Historic Price of $3.2 million at Tokyo Auction
A massive bluefin tuna caused a stir at the Toyosu fish market this Monday, garnering a unprecedented bid of 510.3 million yen ($3.2m; £2.4m) during the venue's inaugural auction of the new year.
The winning offer for the 243kg fish was submitted by the company of a popular sushi restaurant group, which runs locations throughout Japan and abroad.
"The year's tuna heralds a prosperous start," stated the company president, a familiar participant at the yearly new year's auction.
Dubbed the King of Tuna, this businessman is renowned for placing substantial bids for bluefin tuna at these high-profile January auctions.
Auction Surprise and Historic Precedent
After the auction, the successful bidder told the press that he was "taken aback at the winning bid," adding, "I had thought we would be able to buy it a little for less, but the price escalated in no time."
This latest purchase surpasses his own record purchases:
- He paid 56.5 million yen back in 2012.
- He spent 155 million yen the following year.
- In 2019, he won a tuna for 333.6 million yen (2.1 million dollars).
Despite once remarking that he thought he "bid too high," he has now gone on to shatter his personal record another time.
A Tradition of Exorbitant Bids
The first auction at the Tokyo fish market is traditionally characterized by sky-high prices. In the prior year, the first tuna was acquired for 207 million yen by a separate food company, which stated the fish would be served at its eateries nationwide.
The frenetic atmosphere at the fish market during these early morning auctions has transformed into a must-see 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 shortly thereafter sliced up for patrons at the entrepreneur's sushi restaurants shortly after the auction ended.
"I sense like I've commenced the year in a positive way after tasting something so fortune-bringing as the year begins," remarked one satisfied patron.
