Pacific Bluefin Fish Commands Record Price of $3.2m at Japanese Capital New Year Sale
A massive Pacific bluefin tuna made headlines at the Tokyo's Toyosu fish market this Monday, securing a record-breaking bid of 510.3 million yen ($3.2m; £2.4m) during the venue's inaugural auction of the year.
The successful bid for the 243kg fish was submitted by the operator of a nationwide sushi chain, which runs locations domestically and abroad.
"The first tuna brings good luck," commented the company president, a regular bidder at the annual January sale.
Known as the Tuna King, this industry figure is noted for making record bids for premium bluefin tuna at these symbolic January auctions.
Auction Shock and Historic Past
Following the auction, the winner informed reporters that he was "taken aback at the winning bid," stating, "I expected we would be able to buy it a little at a lower price, but the price skyrocketed in no time."
This new acquisition surpasses his previous record purchases:
- He bid 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).
Despite previously remarking that he thought he "did too much," he has now managed to surpass his own record yet again.
A Tradition of Exorbitant Bids
The first auction at the Toyosu fish market is notoriously known for sky-high prices. In the prior year, the initial tuna was bought for 207 million yen by a separate sushi chain operator, which announced the fish would be available at its eateries throughout the country.
The frenetic energy at the fish market during these pre-sunrise auctions has become a must-see spectacle in Tokyo. Monday's auction, which started around 05:00 local time, was no exception.
Swift Service
The extremely valuable tuna was promptly processed for diners at the entrepreneur's sushi chains soon after the auction concluded.
"I believe like I've commenced the year in a good way after eating something so fortune-bringing as the year gets underway," remarked one elated customer.
