Bluefin Tuna Sells for Record Price of $3.2 million at Tokyo Auction
A substantial Pacific bluefin tuna caused a stir at the Tokyo's Toyosu fish market this Monday, achieving a historic bid of 510.3 million yen ($3.2m; ÂŁ2.4m) during the market's opening auction of the new year.
The top offer for the 243kg fish came from the operator of a nationwide sushi chain, which operates locations domestically and overseas.
"The first tuna heralds a prosperous start," remarked the company president, a notable bidder at the traditional first sale.
Referred to as the Tuna King, this entrepreneur is renowned for submitting record bids for premium bluefin tuna at these symbolic January auctions.
Bidding Shock and Historic Past
Following the auction, the successful bidder told the press that he was "surprised at the final price," stating, "I had thought we would be able to purchase it a little cheaper, but the price soared rapidly."
This new purchase exceeds his previous notable purchases:
- He bid 56.5 million yen back in 2012.
- He spent 155 million yen the following year.
- In 2019, he won a tuna for 333.6 million yen ($2.1m).
Despite previously remarking that he thought he "overdid it," he has now managed to shatter his personal record once again.
A Tradition of Exorbitant Bids
The opening auction at the Tokyo fish market is traditionally characterized by sky-high prices. The previous year, the initial tuna was purchased for 207 million yen by another sushi chain operator, which indicated the fish would be available at its restaurants throughout the country.
The high-energy activity at the fish market during these pre-sunrise auctions has evolved into a must-see tourist attraction in Tokyo. Monday's auction, which started around 05:00 local time, was equally bustling.
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The extremely valuable tuna was quickly processed for patrons at the entrepreneur's sushi restaurants shortly after the auction was finished.
"I believe like I've started the year in a good way after consuming something so fortune-bringing as the year starts," said one elated diner.