Bluefin Tuna Fetches Record Price of $3.2 million at Japanese Capital New Year Sale
A bulky Pacific bluefin tuna created waves at the Tokyo's Toyosu fish market this Monday, securing a unprecedented bid of 510.3 million yen ($3.2m; £2.4m) during the venue's first auction of the calendar year.
The successful bid for the 535-pound fish was placed by the company of a well-known sushi chain, which runs restaurants throughout Japan and internationally.
"The first tuna heralds good luck," commented the entrepreneur, a regular participant at the yearly first sale.
Known as the Tuna King, this businessman is famous for making record bids for premium bluefin tuna at these symbolic new year auctions.
Bidding Surprise and Record-Setting Precedent
After the auction, the winner admitted to journalists that he was "taken aback at the winning bid," adding, "I expected we would be able to acquire it a little cheaper, but the price soared in no time."
This new purchase tops his previous notable purchases:
- He secured a tuna for 56.5 million yen back in 2012.
- He spent 155 million yen a year later.
- In 2019, he acquired a tuna for 333.6 million yen ($2.1m).
Even after previously remarking that he thought he "did too much," he has now gone on to break his personal record once again.
An Annual Spectacle of High Prices
The inaugural auction at the Tokyo fish market is notoriously known for sky-high prices. In the prior year, the initial tuna was bought for 207 million yen by another sushi chain operator, which stated the fish would be featured at its locations throughout the country.
The intense activity at the fish market during these pre-sunrise auctions has evolved into a must-see tourist attraction in Tokyo. Monday's auction, which started around 05:00 local time, was equally bustling.
Swift Service
The record-priced tuna was quickly processed for diners at the entrepreneur's sushi establishments soon after the auction concluded.
"I feel like I've started the year in a good way after consuming something so lucky as the year begins," remarked one elated customer.
