Pacific Bluefin Fish Sells for Record Sum of 3.2 million dollars at Japanese Capital New Year Sale
A bulky Pacific bluefin tuna caused a stir at the Tokyo's Toyosu fish market this Monday, garnering a record-breaking bid of 510.3 million yen ($3.2m; £2.4m) during the market's inaugural auction of the calendar year.
The winning bid for the 535-pound fish came from the operator of a nationwide sushi restaurant group, which manages outlets across the country and abroad.
"An inaugural tuna signals a prosperous start," remarked the company president, a notable figure at the yearly new year's auction.
Referred to as the King of Tuna, this entrepreneur is renowned for making high bids for bluefin tuna at these high-profile year-opening auctions.
Auction Shock and Historic Past
After the auction, the winner told the press that he was "surprised at the winning bid," stating, "I believed we would be able to acquire it a little cheaper, but the price soared in no time."
This new purchase surpasses his own notable purchases:
- He secured a tuna for 56.5 million yen away in 2012.
- He spent 155 million yen a year later.
- In 2019, he won a tuna for 333.6 million yen ($2.1m).
Despite once commenting that he thought he "did too much," he has now managed to surpass his personal record yet again.
A Tradition of Exorbitant Bids
The inaugural auction at the Tokyo fish market is typically associated with exorbitant prices. The previous year, the initial tuna was acquired for 207 million yen by a separate culinary group, which indicated the fish would be featured at its eateries throughout the country.
The frenetic energy at the fish market during these pre-sunrise auctions has become a must-see event in Tokyo. Monday's auction, which began around 05:00 local time, was no exception.
Swift Service
The extremely valuable tuna was shortly thereafter prepared for diners at the bidder's sushi restaurants soon after the auction concluded.
"I sense like I've commenced the year in a auspicious way after consuming something so fortune-bringing as the year starts," remarked one elated diner.