Pacific Bluefin Tuna Fetches Historic Sum of $3.2 million at Japanese Capital New Year Sale
A substantial Pacific bluefin tuna created waves 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 venue's inaugural auction of the calendar year.
The top bid for the 535-pound fish was submitted by the company of a well-known sushi chain, which manages outlets domestically and internationally.
"The first tuna signals a prosperous start," commented the company president, a familiar bidder at the annual first sale.
Dubbed the Tuna King, this industry figure is noted for placing record bids for bluefin tuna at these symbolic year-opening auctions.
Bidding Surprise and Record-Setting Past
Following the auction, the winner told reporters that he was "taken aback at the final price," stating, "I had thought we would be able to purchase it a little at a lower price, but the price soared in no time."
This latest acquisition exceeds his own historic purchases:
- He paid 56.5 million yen back in 2012.
- He bid 155 million yen in 2013.
- In 2019, he won a tuna for 333.6 million yen ($2.1m).
Despite once saying that he thought he "did too much," he has now gone on to shatter his personal record another time.
A Tradition of High Prices
The inaugural auction at the Toyosu fish market is traditionally characterized by exceptionally high prices. In the prior year, the initial tuna was bought for 207 million yen by another sushi chain operator, which indicated the fish would be featured at its restaurants across Japan.
The frenetic atmosphere at the fish market during these pre-dawn auctions has transformed into a popular tourist attraction in Tokyo. Monday's auction, which started around 05:00 local time, was no different.
Swift Service
The record-priced tuna was promptly prepared for patrons at the winner's sushi restaurants shortly after the auction ended.
"I believe like I've begun the year in a auspicious way after consuming something so auspicious as the year begins," remarked one satisfied diner.
