Bluefin Tuna Fetches Unprecedented Price of 3.2 million dollars at Japanese Capital New Year Sale
A bulky Pacific bluefin tuna created waves at the Toyosu fish market this Monday, achieving a historic bid of 510.3 million yen ($3.2 million; £2.4m) during the venue's first auction of the new year.
The successful offer for the 243kg fish was placed by the operator of a nationwide sushi restaurant group, which runs restaurants domestically and internationally.
"The year's tuna heralds a prosperous start," remarked the entrepreneur, a regular bidder at the annual January sale.
Referred to as the Tuna King, this businessman is famous for making high bids for premium bluefin tuna at these high-profile year-opening auctions.
Auction Shock and Historic Past
Following the auction, the winner told reporters that he was "surprised at the final price," adding, "I believed we would be able to purchase it a little cheaper, but the price skyrocketed in no time."
This most recent purchase exceeds his own record purchases:
- He bid 56.5 million yen away in 2012.
- He paid 155 million yen in 2013.
- In 2019, he acquired a tuna for 333.6 million yen (2.1 million dollars).
Even after previously saying that he thought he "did too much," he has now managed to break his own record another time.
A Tradition of High Prices
The opening auction at the Toyosu fish market is typically characterized by sky-high prices. The previous year, the first tuna was acquired for 207 million yen by a different culinary group, which indicated the fish would be featured at its eateries nationwide.
The frenetic energy at the fish market during these early morning auctions has become a major tourist attraction in Tokyo. Monday's auction, which began around 05:00 local time, was no exception.
Immediate Consumption
The extremely valuable tuna was shortly thereafter sliced up for customers at the winner's sushi chains shortly after the auction was finished.
"I believe like I've begun the year in a good way after eating something so fortune-bringing as the year begins," remarked one elated diner.
