Pacific Bluefin Tuna Sells for Unprecedented Price of 3.2 million dollars at Japanese Capital New Year Sale
A massive bluefin tuna caused a stir at the Toyosu fish market this Monday, achieving a historic bid of 510.3 million yen ($3.2 million; £2.4m) during the venue's first auction of the new year.
The winning bid for the 535-pound fish was submitted by the parent firm of a well-known sushi restaurant group, which runs outlets throughout Japan and overseas.
"The year's tuna signals a prosperous start," stated the business owner, a familiar figure at the annual January sale.
Dubbed the King of Tuna, this entrepreneur is noted for placing substantial bids for bluefin tuna at these symbolic January auctions.
Bidding Shock and Record-Setting Precedent
After the auction, the successful bidder admitted to reporters that he was "taken aback at the winning bid," noting, "I expected we would be able to buy it a little at a lower price, but the price skyrocketed rapidly."
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 in 2013.
- In 2019, he won a tuna for 333.6 million yen (2.1 million dollars).
Despite previously remarking that he thought he "did too much," he has now proceeded to break his personal record another time.
An Annual Spectacle of High Prices
The first auction at the Tokyo fish market is typically associated with sky-high prices. The previous year, the initial tuna was purchased for 207 million yen by a separate culinary group, which indicated the fish would be featured at its eateries across Japan.
The frenetic activity at the fish market during these early morning auctions has evolved into a must-see spectacle in Tokyo. Monday's auction, which began around 05:00 local time, was equally bustling.
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The extremely valuable tuna was shortly thereafter prepared for patrons at the winner's sushi chains shortly after the auction was finished.
"I believe like I've started the year in a positive way after consuming something so lucky as the year begins," said one satisfied diner.
