Pacific Bluefin Tuna Sells for Historic Sum of 3.2 million dollars at Japanese Capital New Year Sale
A bulky bluefin tuna created waves at the Tokyo's Toyosu fish market this Monday, achieving a unprecedented bid of 510.3 million yen ($3.2 million; £2.4m) during the market's inaugural auction of the new year.
The winning bid for the 243-kilogram fish was placed by the operator of a popular sushi restaurant group, which operates locations across the country and overseas.
"The first tuna brings a prosperous start," commented the entrepreneur, a regular bidder at the yearly January sale.
Referred to as the Tuna Tycoon, this businessman is famous for making substantial bids for premium bluefin tuna at these auspicious January auctions.
Bidding Surprise and Historic Precedent
After the auction, the successful bidder informed journalists that he was "taken aback at the amount," noting, "I expected we would be able to acquire it a little cheaper, but the price skyrocketed before you knew it."
This new purchase surpasses his previous historic purchases:
- He paid 56.5 million yen away in 2012.
- He spent 155 million yen in 2013.
- In 2019, he won a tuna for 333.6 million yen ($2.1m).
Even after once commenting that he thought he "overdid it," he has now proceeded to shatter his personal record another time.
An Annual Spectacle of High Prices
The inaugural auction at the Tokyo fish market is notoriously known for exceptionally high prices. Last year, the first tuna was bought for 207 million yen by a separate food company, which indicated the fish would be featured at its eateries throughout the country.
The high-energy atmosphere at the fish market during these pre-sunrise auctions has transformed into a major tourist attraction in Tokyo. Monday's auction, which commenced around 05:00 local time, was no exception.
From Auction to Plate
The record-priced tuna was shortly thereafter prepared for diners at the bidder's sushi chains immediately after the auction concluded.
"I believe like I've started the year in a good way after consuming something so lucky as the year starts," shared one satisfied customer.
