Pacific Bluefin Tuna Commands Record Sum of $3.2m at Japanese Capital New Year Sale
A massive Pacific bluefin tuna created waves at the Toyosu fish market this Monday, achieving a historic bid of 510.3 million yen ($3.2 million; ÂŁ2.4m) during the market's opening auction of the year.
The top bid for the 535-pound fish came from the parent firm of a popular sushi chain, which runs locations across the country and abroad.
"An inaugural tuna brings a prosperous start," stated the entrepreneur, a regular participant at the traditional January sale.
Dubbed the King of Tuna, this industry figure is famous for placing high bids for bluefin tuna at these symbolic January auctions.
Bidding Shock and Record-Setting Precedent
Following the auction, the winner informed the press that he was "surprised at the amount," stating, "I had thought we would be able to purchase it a little for less, but the price soared before you knew it."
This latest acquisition exceeds his previous historic purchases:
- He secured a tuna for 56.5 million yen away in 2012.
- He bid 155 million yen the following year.
- In 2019, he purchased a tuna for 333.6 million yen ($2.1m).
Despite once commenting that he thought he "overdid it," he has now gone on to shatter his own record yet again.
A Tradition of High Prices
The opening auction at the Tokyo fish market is notoriously known for exceptionally high prices. In the prior year, the initial tuna was purchased for 207 million yen by another food company, which stated the fish would be available at its eateries across Japan.
The frenetic energy at the fish market during these pre-dawn auctions has evolved into a major tourist attraction in Tokyo. Monday's auction, which began around 05:00 local time, was no different.
Immediate Consumption
The extremely valuable tuna was promptly sliced up for diners at the bidder's sushi chains immediately after the auction ended.
"I sense like I've started the year in a auspicious way after consuming something so auspicious as the year starts," shared one happy patron.
