Pacific Bluefin Fish Sells for Record Bid of 3.2 million dollars at Tokyo New Year Sale
A substantial bluefin tuna caused a stir at the Toyosu fish market this Monday, garnering a unprecedented bid of 510.3 million yen (3.2 million US dollars; £2.4m) during the venue's inaugural auction of the calendar year.
The successful offer for the 535-pound fish was submitted by the operator of a well-known sushi restaurant group, which manages restaurants across the country and abroad.
"The first tuna heralds good luck," remarked the business owner, a notable participant at the annual new year's auction.
Referred to as the Tuna King, this entrepreneur is noted for placing record bids for bluefin tuna at these symbolic January auctions.
Auction Shock and Historic Past
After the auction, the winner informed reporters that he was "taken aback at the amount," stating, "I expected we would be able to purchase it a little for less, but the price soared in no time."
This most recent purchase exceeds his own notable purchases:
- He bid 56.5 million yen back in 2012.
- He spent 155 million yen a year later.
- In 2019, he won a tuna for 333.6 million yen (2.1 million dollars).
Even after previously commenting that he thought he "overdid it," he has now proceeded to surpass his personal record once again.
A Tradition of Exorbitant Bids
The first auction at the Tokyo fish market is traditionally known for sky-high prices. The previous year, the initial tuna was acquired for 207 million yen by another food company, which announced the fish would be featured at its restaurants across Japan.
The frenetic energy at the fish market during these pre-dawn auctions has transformed into a must-see event in Tokyo. Monday's auction, which began around 05:00 local time, was equally bustling.
Swift Service
The multi-million-dollar tuna was shortly thereafter prepared for patrons at the winner's sushi chains immediately after the auction concluded.
"I sense like I've commenced the year in a positive way after tasting something so fortune-bringing as the year gets underway," remarked one elated customer.