Bluefin Tuna Commands Record Sum of $3.2m at Japanese Capital New Year Sale
A massive bluefin tuna caused a stir at the Tokyo's Toyosu fish market this Monday, achieving a historic bid of 510.3 million yen ($3.2 million; £2.4m) during the market's first auction of the year.
The top offer for the 243-kilogram fish was placed by the parent firm of a well-known sushi chain, which operates outlets across the country and overseas.
"The first tuna signals good luck," remarked the company president, a regular participant at the yearly first sale.
Known as the Tuna King, this entrepreneur is famous for placing high bids for premium bluefin tuna at these symbolic year-opening auctions.
Bidding Shock and Historic Past
Following the auction, the winner told reporters that he was "taken aback at the amount," stating, "I had thought we would be able to acquire it a little cheaper, but the price skyrocketed before you knew it."
This most recent purchase tops his previous record purchases:
- He paid 56.5 million yen away in 2012.
- He spent 155 million yen the following year.
- In 2019, he won a tuna for 333.6 million yen ($2.1m).
Despite once saying that he thought he "bid too high," he has now proceeded to shatter his own record yet again.
A Tradition of High Prices
The first auction at the Toyosu fish market is traditionally associated with exceptionally high prices. The previous year, the first tuna was purchased for 207 million yen by a separate sushi chain operator, which indicated the fish would be served at its restaurants throughout the country.
The intense atmosphere at the fish market during these early morning auctions has evolved into a must-see tourist attraction in Tokyo. Monday's auction, which began around 05:00 local time, was no exception.
Immediate Consumption
The record-priced tuna was shortly thereafter processed for customers at the bidder's sushi chains soon after the auction was finished.
"I feel like I've started the year in a positive way after consuming something so fortune-bringing as the year begins," said one satisfied diner.
