Pacific Bluefin Tuna Sells for Record Price of 3.2 million dollars at Japanese Capital New Year Sale
A bulky bluefin tuna created waves at the Toyosu fish market this Monday, garnering a record-breaking bid of 510.3 million yen (3.2 million US dollars; £2.4m) during the venue's first auction of the year.
The top bid for the 535-pound fish was placed by the parent firm of a popular sushi restaurant group, which runs restaurants across the country and abroad.
"The year's tuna heralds a prosperous start," commented the entrepreneur, a regular figure at the yearly new year's auction.
Referred to as the Tuna King, this businessman is renowned for making substantial bids for bluefin tuna at these symbolic January auctions.
Bidding Surprise and Record-Setting Precedent
After the auction, the successful bidder told the press that he was "astonished at the final price," stating, "I expected we would be able to purchase it a little cheaper, but the price escalated in no time."
This latest acquisition tops his previous notable purchases:
- He secured a tuna for 56.5 million yen back in 2012.
- He bid 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 "did too much," he has now proceeded to break his own record once again.
An Annual Spectacle of Exorbitant Bids
The first auction at the Toyosu fish market is typically known for exorbitant prices. In the prior year, the first tuna was bought for 207 million yen by another food company, which indicated the fish would be served at its restaurants throughout the country.
The frenetic energy at the fish market during these pre-dawn auctions has transformed into a major spectacle in Tokyo. Monday's auction, which began around 05:00 local time, was equally bustling.
From Auction to Plate
The multi-million-dollar tuna was shortly thereafter processed for customers at the winner's sushi restaurants immediately after the auction was finished.
"I feel like I've begun the year in a good way after eating something so auspicious as the year starts," remarked one satisfied patron.