Bluefin Fish Fetches Historic Sum of $3.2 million at Japanese Capital New Year Sale
A massive bluefin tuna caused a stir at the Toyosu fish market this Monday, garnering a record-breaking bid of 510.3 million yen (3.2 million US dollars; £2.4m) during the market's inaugural auction of the year.
The successful bid for the 535-pound fish was placed by the company of a popular sushi chain, which operates restaurants throughout Japan and internationally.
"The first tuna signals good luck," commented the business owner, a familiar bidder at the annual new year's auction.
Dubbed the Tuna King, this entrepreneur is noted for making record bids for premium bluefin tuna at these high-profile new year auctions.
Bidding Surprise and Historic Past
Following the auction, the winner told journalists that he was "astonished at the winning bid," adding, "I believed we would be able to purchase it a little cheaper, but the price escalated in no time."
This latest purchase surpasses his own notable purchases:
- He paid 56.5 million yen away in 2012.
- He bid 155 million yen in 2013.
- In 2019, he purchased a tuna for 333.6 million yen ($2.1 million).
Despite once commenting that he thought he "did too much," he has now gone on to break his personal record another time.
A Tradition of High Prices
The inaugural auction at the Tokyo fish market is traditionally characterized by sky-high prices. The previous year, the first tuna was bought for 207 million yen by a separate sushi chain operator, which stated the fish would be available at its restaurants across Japan.
The intense activity at the fish market during these pre-sunrise auctions has become a major spectacle in Tokyo. Monday's auction, which began around 05:00 local time, was no different.
From Auction to Plate
The extremely valuable tuna was promptly sliced up for customers at the winner's sushi chains immediately after the auction was finished.
"I sense like I've started the year in a good way after eating something so auspicious as the year starts," shared one happy patron.
