Bluefin Fish Fetches Historic Price of 3.2 million dollars at Japanese Capital Auction
A massive Pacific bluefin tuna made headlines at the Tokyo's Toyosu fish market this Monday, securing a unprecedented bid of 510.3 million yen (3.2 million US dollars; £2.4m) during the market's opening auction of the year.
The successful bid for the 243-kilogram fish came from the operator of a well-known sushi chain, which runs restaurants throughout Japan and abroad.
"An inaugural tuna brings good luck," remarked the business owner, a regular participant at the yearly January sale.
Referred to as the Tuna King, this entrepreneur is noted for submitting record bids for premium bluefin tuna at these symbolic new year auctions.
Bidding Surprise and Record-Setting Precedent
After the auction, the successful bidder admitted to journalists that he was "taken aback at the winning bid," stating, "I expected we would be able to purchase it a little for less, but the price escalated rapidly."
This latest purchase surpasses his own historic purchases:
- He secured a tuna for 56.5 million yen back in 2012.
- He spent 155 million yen the following year.
- In 2019, he acquired a tuna for 333.6 million yen ($2.1 million).
Despite once remarking that he thought he "did too much," he has now proceeded to surpass his personal record another time.
A Tradition of High Prices
The inaugural auction at the Toyosu fish market is traditionally known for sky-high prices. Last year, the first tuna was acquired for 207 million yen by a separate sushi chain operator, which announced the fish would be available at its eateries throughout the country.
The intense activity at the fish market during these pre-sunrise auctions has become a major event in Tokyo. Monday's auction, which started around 05:00 local time, was no different.
Immediate Consumption
The record-priced tuna was promptly sliced up for customers at the winner's sushi establishments shortly after the auction was finished.
"I feel like I've begun the year in a good way after eating something so auspicious as the year gets underway," remarked one elated customer.
