Bluefin Tuna Sells for Historic Bid of 3.2 million dollars at Tokyo Auction
A substantial Pacific bluefin tuna made headlines at the Toyosu fish market this Monday, achieving a historic bid of 510.3 million yen (3.2 million US dollars; ÂŁ2.4m) during the venue's first auction of the new year.
The successful bid for the 535-pound fish came from the operator of a nationwide sushi restaurant group, which operates outlets throughout Japan and abroad.
"An inaugural tuna heralds a prosperous start," commented the business owner, a familiar figure at the traditional January sale.
Dubbed the King of Tuna, this industry figure is renowned for making substantial bids for bluefin tuna at these auspicious new year auctions.
Auction Surprise and Record-Setting Precedent
Following the auction, the successful bidder admitted to journalists that he was "astonished at the amount," stating, "I expected we would be able to purchase it a little for less, but the price escalated in no time."
This most recent acquisition exceeds his previous notable purchases:
- He bid 56.5 million yen back in 2012.
- He paid 155 million yen in 2013.
- In 2019, he acquired a tuna for 333.6 million yen ($2.1 million).
Even after previously remarking that he thought he "overdid it," he has now proceeded to break his own record once again.
An Annual Spectacle of Exorbitant Bids
The first auction at the Toyosu fish market is traditionally characterized by exceptionally high prices. Last year, the initial tuna was purchased for 207 million yen by a different food company, which stated the fish would be served at its locations throughout the country.
The frenetic energy at the fish market during these pre-dawn auctions has become a must-see event in Tokyo. Monday's auction, which started around 05:00 local time, was no exception.
Swift Service
The multi-million-dollar tuna was shortly thereafter prepared for patrons at the entrepreneur's sushi restaurants shortly after the auction was finished.
"I sense like I've begun the year in a auspicious way after eating something so auspicious as the year gets underway," shared one elated customer.
