Pacific Bluefin Tuna Fetches Historic Sum of 3.2 million dollars at Japanese Capital New Year Sale
A massive Pacific bluefin tuna made headlines at the Tokyo's Toyosu fish market this Monday, securing a unprecedented bid of 510.3 million yen ($3.2m; ÂŁ2.4m) during the venue's opening auction of the calendar year.
The winning bid for the 535-pound fish was submitted by the parent firm of a well-known sushi restaurant group, which operates restaurants throughout Japan and internationally.
"The year's tuna brings a prosperous start," commented the entrepreneur, a notable participant at the yearly new year's auction.
Referred to as the Tuna King, this industry figure is famous for submitting record bids for premium bluefin tuna at these high-profile new year auctions.
Bidding Shock and Historic Precedent
After the auction, the successful bidder told the press that he was "taken aback at the amount," noting, "I had thought we would be able to purchase it a little for less, but the price soared before you knew it."
This most recent acquisition tops his own record purchases:
- He secured a tuna for 56.5 million yen back in 2012.
- He paid 155 million yen a year later.
- In 2019, he won a tuna for 333.6 million yen ($2.1m).
Even after previously commenting that he thought he "did too much," he has now proceeded to surpass his personal record yet again.
A Tradition of Exorbitant Bids
The first auction at the Toyosu fish market is typically characterized by sky-high prices. In the prior 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 locations across Japan.
The intense activity at the fish market during these pre-dawn auctions has transformed into a must-see spectacle in Tokyo. Monday's auction, which commenced around 05:00 local time, was no different.
Swift Service
The extremely valuable tuna was promptly prepared for patrons at the entrepreneur's sushi establishments soon after the auction concluded.
"I feel like I've begun the year in a good way after eating something so fortune-bringing as the year begins," said one happy patron.
