Pacific Bluefin Tuna Fetches Unprecedented Sum of $3.2 million at Tokyo New Year Sale
A massive bluefin tuna caused a stir at the Tokyo's Toyosu fish market this Monday, securing a unprecedented bid of 510.3 million yen ($3.2m; £2.4m) during the market's first auction of the new year.
The winning offer for the 535-pound fish came from the parent firm of a well-known sushi chain, which operates restaurants across the country and internationally.
"An inaugural tuna signals fortune," stated the company president, a notable participant at the traditional first sale.
Referred to as the Tuna King, this entrepreneur is noted for placing record bids for premium bluefin tuna at these auspicious year-opening auctions.
Bidding Shock and Historic Past
After the auction, the winner informed journalists that he was "surprised at the final price," stating, "I had thought we would be able to acquire it a little for less, but the price escalated rapidly."
This new acquisition surpasses his previous historic purchases:
- He paid 56.5 million yen away in 2012.
- He paid 155 million yen the following year.
- In 2019, he acquired a tuna for 333.6 million yen ($2.1m).
Even after once saying that he thought he "overdid it," he has now managed to break his own record yet again.
An Annual Spectacle of Exorbitant Bids
The first auction at the Toyosu fish market is traditionally characterized by exorbitant prices. The previous year, the first tuna was acquired for 207 million yen by another culinary group, which announced the fish would be available at its eateries nationwide.
The frenetic atmosphere at the fish market during these pre-sunrise auctions has evolved into a popular tourist attraction in Tokyo. Monday's auction, which started around 05:00 local time, was equally bustling.
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The extremely valuable tuna was promptly processed for diners at the winner's sushi chains shortly after the auction concluded.
"I sense like I've commenced the year in a auspicious way after eating something so lucky as the year begins," said one happy patron.
