Pacific Bluefin Tuna Sells for Unprecedented Price of $3.2 million at Japanese Capital New Year Sale
A bulky bluefin tuna created waves at the Toyosu fish market this Monday, securing a unprecedented bid of 510.3 million yen ($3.2 million; £2.4m) during the market's inaugural auction of the new year.
The top offer for the 243kg fish was placed by the parent firm of a well-known sushi chain, which operates restaurants across the country and overseas.
"An inaugural tuna brings a prosperous start," remarked the entrepreneur, a notable participant at the traditional first sale.
Known as the Tuna Tycoon, this businessman is famous for making substantial bids for bluefin tuna at these symbolic new year auctions.
Auction Surprise and Record-Setting Past
After the auction, the successful bidder admitted to journalists that he was "astonished at the final price," stating, "I believed we would be able to acquire it a little for less, but the price skyrocketed in no time."
This new purchase exceeds his previous historic purchases:
- He bid 56.5 million yen away in 2012.
- He bid 155 million yen the following year.
- In 2019, he won a tuna for 333.6 million yen ($2.1 million).
Despite once remarking that he thought he "did too much," he has now managed to shatter his own record another time.
An Annual Spectacle of High Prices
The opening auction at the Toyosu fish market is traditionally associated with exceptionally high prices. Last year, the first tuna was purchased for 207 million yen by another culinary group, which indicated the fish would be featured at its locations throughout the country.
The frenetic energy at the fish market during these pre-sunrise auctions has evolved into a must-see spectacle in Tokyo. Monday's auction, which started around 05:00 local time, was no different.
From Auction to Plate
The record-priced tuna was shortly thereafter prepared for diners at the entrepreneur's sushi chains immediately after the auction concluded.
"I feel like I've begun the year in a auspicious way after eating something so lucky as the year starts," shared one satisfied patron.
