Bluefin Tuna Sells for Historic Price of 3.2 million dollars at Tokyo New Year Sale
A bulky Pacific bluefin tuna caused a stir at the Tokyo's Toyosu fish market this Monday, achieving a historic bid of 510.3 million yen (3.2 million US dollars; £2.4m) during the market's opening auction of the calendar year.
The successful bid for the 243-kilogram fish was placed by the parent firm of a popular sushi restaurant group, which manages restaurants domestically and overseas.
"An inaugural tuna brings fortune," stated the company president, a familiar figure at the traditional January sale.
Dubbed the King of Tuna, this businessman is famous for placing substantial bids for premium bluefin tuna at these high-profile new year auctions.
Bidding Shock and Record-Setting Past
Following the auction, the winner informed reporters that he was "surprised at the final price," noting, "I expected we would be able to acquire it a little cheaper, but the price skyrocketed before you knew it."
This new purchase surpasses his previous historic purchases:
- He paid 56.5 million yen away in 2012.
- He paid 155 million yen a year later.
- In 2019, he purchased a tuna for 333.6 million yen ($2.1m).
Despite previously saying that he thought he "bid too high," he has now proceeded to shatter his own record yet again.
An Annual Spectacle of Exorbitant Bids
The first auction at the Tokyo fish market is traditionally associated with exceptionally high prices. In the prior year, the first tuna was purchased for 207 million yen by a different food company, which stated the fish would be available at its eateries nationwide.
The frenetic atmosphere at the fish market during these pre-sunrise auctions has become a popular tourist attraction in Tokyo. Monday's auction, which commenced around 05:00 local time, was no different.
From Auction to Plate
The extremely valuable tuna was shortly thereafter prepared for diners at the winner's sushi chains shortly after the auction concluded.
"I sense like I've started the year in a good way after eating something so auspicious as the year begins," remarked one happy customer.
