Pacific Bluefin Fish Commands Record Bid of $3.2 million at Tokyo New Year Sale
A bulky Pacific bluefin tuna caused a stir at the Tokyo's Toyosu fish market this Monday, achieving a historic bid of 510.3 million yen ($3.2m; £2.4m) during the market's inaugural auction of the calendar year.
The top offer for the 535-pound fish was submitted by the company of a nationwide sushi restaurant group, which manages outlets throughout Japan and overseas.
"The first tuna brings good luck," remarked the company president, a notable participant at the traditional new year's auction.
Dubbed the King of Tuna, this industry figure is renowned for placing high bids for premium bluefin tuna at these auspicious year-opening auctions.
Auction Shock and Record-Setting Precedent
After the auction, the winner admitted to journalists that he was "taken aback at the final price," stating, "I believed we would be able to acquire it a little cheaper, but the price skyrocketed rapidly."
This latest purchase tops his previous notable purchases:
- He paid 56.5 million yen away in 2012.
- He spent 155 million yen in 2013.
- In 2019, he purchased a tuna for 333.6 million yen (2.1 million dollars).
Despite previously commenting that he thought he "bid too high," he has now managed to shatter his own record yet again.
A Tradition of Exorbitant Bids
The first auction at the Toyosu fish market is typically known for exorbitant prices. Last year, the initial tuna was acquired for 207 million yen by a separate sushi chain operator, which stated the fish would be featured at its eateries across Japan.
The high-energy activity at the fish market during these early morning auctions has transformed into a must-see event in Tokyo. Monday's auction, which commenced around 05:00 local time, was equally bustling.
Swift Service
The multi-million-dollar tuna was shortly thereafter sliced up for diners at the entrepreneur's sushi restaurants soon after the auction was finished.
"I sense like I've commenced the year in a auspicious way after consuming something so lucky as the year starts," remarked one satisfied diner.
