Pacific Bluefin Tuna Sells for Historic Bid of 3.2 million dollars at Tokyo Auction
A substantial Pacific bluefin tuna created waves at the Tokyo's Toyosu fish market this Monday, securing a record-breaking bid of 510.3 million yen ($3.2 million; £2.4m) during the market's first auction of the year.
The top bid for the 243-kilogram fish came from the company of a well-known sushi chain, which runs restaurants domestically and internationally.
"The first tuna brings fortune," remarked the company president, a familiar bidder at the traditional new year's auction.
Referred to as the Tuna King, this entrepreneur is famous for submitting substantial bids for bluefin tuna at these auspicious year-opening auctions.
Auction Shock and Record-Setting Past
After the auction, the successful bidder admitted to the press that he was "astonished at the final price," stating, "I believed we would be able to buy it a little at a lower price, but the price escalated before you knew it."
This most recent acquisition exceeds his own record purchases:
- He secured a tuna for 56.5 million yen back in 2012.
- He spent 155 million yen in 2013.
- In 2019, he acquired a tuna for 333.6 million yen ($2.1 million).
Even after previously saying that he thought he "did too much," he has now managed to surpass his personal record yet again.
A Tradition of High Prices
The first auction at the Toyosu fish market is typically associated with exorbitant prices. Last year, the first tuna was acquired for 207 million yen by a different sushi chain operator, which indicated the fish would be served at its restaurants nationwide.
The high-energy energy at the fish market during these early morning auctions has evolved into a major tourist attraction in Tokyo. Monday's auction, which began around 05:00 local time, was equally bustling.
Swift Service
The extremely valuable tuna was quickly processed for patrons at the winner's sushi restaurants soon after the auction concluded.
"I believe like I've begun the year in a auspicious way after tasting something so fortune-bringing as the year starts," said one satisfied patron.
