Pacific Bluefin Fish Fetches Historic Bid of 3.2 million dollars at Japanese Capital New Year Sale
A massive Pacific bluefin tuna caused a stir at the Tokyo's Toyosu fish market this Monday, garnering a unprecedented bid of 510.3 million yen ($3.2 million; £2.4m) during the market's inaugural auction of the year.
The top bid for the 243-kilogram fish was submitted by the parent firm of a nationwide sushi restaurant group, which manages outlets across the country and overseas.
"An inaugural tuna brings a prosperous start," stated the business owner, a familiar participant at the traditional new year's auction.
Referred to as the Tuna King, this businessman is noted for placing record bids for bluefin tuna at these symbolic new year auctions.
Auction Shock and Record-Setting Precedent
Following the auction, the winner admitted to journalists that he was "surprised at the winning bid," stating, "I had thought we would be able to buy it a little at a lower price, but the price escalated in no time."
This new purchase tops his previous notable purchases:
- He bid 56.5 million yen back in 2012.
- He paid 155 million yen a year later.
- In 2019, he won a tuna for 333.6 million yen (2.1 million dollars).
Despite previously remarking that he thought he "bid too high," he has now gone on to surpass his personal record once again.
A Tradition of High Prices
The first auction at the Tokyo fish market is traditionally associated with exorbitant prices. The previous year, the first tuna was acquired for 207 million yen by a separate food company, which announced the fish would be featured at its eateries across Japan.
The intense activity at the fish market during these pre-dawn auctions has transformed into a must-see tourist attraction in Tokyo. Monday's auction, which began around 05:00 local time, was no different.
Immediate Consumption
The multi-million-dollar tuna was shortly thereafter processed for diners at the winner's sushi chains soon after the auction concluded.
"I feel like I've commenced the year in a positive way after tasting something so fortune-bringing as the year begins," said one elated diner.
