Pacific Bluefin Tuna Sells for Historic Bid of $3.2m at Tokyo New Year Sale
A massive bluefin tuna caused a stir at the Toyosu fish market this Monday, achieving a unprecedented bid of 510.3 million yen ($3.2 million; £2.4m) during the venue's first auction of the calendar year.
The successful bid for the 535-pound fish came from the operator of a nationwide sushi chain, which operates locations domestically and overseas.
"An inaugural tuna brings fortune," commented the entrepreneur, a familiar bidder at the annual January sale.
Referred to as the Tuna King, this industry figure is noted for making substantial bids for bluefin tuna at these auspicious year-opening auctions.
Auction Surprise and Historic Past
Following the auction, the winner admitted to reporters that he was "surprised at the amount," stating, "I believed we would be able to purchase it a little for less, but the price soared before you knew it."
This new acquisition exceeds his previous notable purchases:
- He secured a tuna for 56.5 million yen away in 2012.
- He paid 155 million yen in 2013.
- In 2019, he acquired a tuna for 333.6 million yen (2.1 million dollars).
Even after once commenting that he thought he "did too much," he has now managed to break his personal record once again.
A Tradition of High Prices
The opening auction at the Tokyo fish market is notoriously characterized by sky-high prices. The previous year, the first tuna was purchased for 207 million yen by a separate culinary group, which announced the fish would be served at its restaurants across Japan.
The high-energy energy at the fish market during these pre-dawn auctions has evolved into a major spectacle in Tokyo. Monday's auction, which started around 05:00 local time, was no exception.
From Auction to Plate
The record-priced tuna was quickly processed for diners at the winner's sushi establishments shortly after the auction concluded.
"I feel like I've commenced the year in a good way after consuming something so lucky as the year starts," shared one elated diner.
