Pacific Bluefin Fish Fetches Record Sum of 3.2 million dollars at Tokyo New Year Sale
A bulky bluefin tuna caused a stir at the Tokyo's Toyosu fish market this Monday, achieving a record-breaking bid of 510.3 million yen ($3.2m; £2.4m) during the market's first auction of the calendar year.
The winning offer for the 535-pound fish was submitted by the operator of a well-known sushi restaurant group, which manages locations domestically and overseas.
"The year's tuna heralds good luck," stated the company president, a familiar participant at the yearly first sale.
Known as the Tuna Tycoon, this industry figure is noted for placing high bids for bluefin tuna at these symbolic year-opening auctions.
Bidding Surprise and Historic Precedent
Following the auction, the winner told the press that he was "taken aback at the amount," adding, "I expected we would be able to purchase it a little at a lower price, but the price soared rapidly."
This new acquisition surpasses his own record purchases:
- He bid 56.5 million yen back in 2012.
- He spent 155 million yen a year later.
- In 2019, he purchased a tuna for 333.6 million yen (2.1 million dollars).
Even after previously saying that he thought he "overdid it," he has now managed to break his own record once again.
A Tradition of Exorbitant Bids
The inaugural auction at the Toyosu fish market is typically associated with sky-high prices. Last year, the initial tuna was bought for 207 million yen by a separate sushi chain operator, which announced the fish would be featured at its restaurants nationwide.
The high-energy energy at the fish market during these pre-sunrise auctions has transformed into a popular spectacle in Tokyo. Monday's auction, which began around 05:00 local time, was no different.
From Auction to Plate
The multi-million-dollar tuna was shortly thereafter sliced up for diners at the entrepreneur's sushi restaurants immediately after the auction was finished.
"I sense like I've started the year in a auspicious way after consuming something so fortune-bringing as the year begins," shared one satisfied customer.
