Pacific Bluefin Fish Fetches Historic Bid of $3.2 million at Tokyo New Year Sale
A bulky Pacific bluefin tuna made headlines at the Toyosu fish market this Monday, achieving a record-breaking bid of 510.3 million yen ($3.2 million; £2.4m) during the market's inaugural auction of the new year.
The successful bid for the 535-pound fish was placed by the parent firm of a well-known sushi chain, which manages locations domestically and internationally.
"The year's tuna brings fortune," remarked the company president, a notable figure at the yearly first sale.
Dubbed the Tuna Tycoon, this entrepreneur is renowned for placing record bids for premium bluefin tuna at these auspicious year-opening auctions.
Bidding Shock and Historic Precedent
Following the auction, the winner informed journalists that he was "surprised at the amount," stating, "I expected we would be able to purchase it a little at a lower price, but the price soared rapidly."
This latest purchase tops his own record purchases:
- He secured a tuna for 56.5 million yen away in 2012.
- He paid 155 million yen in 2013.
- In 2019, he won a tuna for 333.6 million yen ($2.1 million).
Even after previously commenting that he thought he "bid too high," he has now gone on to break his personal record once again.
An Annual Spectacle of High Prices
The inaugural auction at the Toyosu fish market is traditionally characterized by sky-high prices. Last year, the first tuna was bought for 207 million yen by another culinary group, which stated the fish would be served at its restaurants nationwide.
The frenetic atmosphere at the fish market during these early morning auctions has evolved into a major event in Tokyo. Monday's auction, which started around 05:00 local time, was equally bustling.
From Auction to Plate
The multi-million-dollar tuna was promptly prepared for diners at the winner's sushi chains immediately after the auction was finished.
"I sense like I've commenced the year in a positive way after tasting something so fortune-bringing as the year begins," remarked one satisfied customer.
