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 Toyosu fish market this Monday, achieving a record-breaking bid of 510.3 million yen (3.2 million US dollars; £2.4m) during the market's first auction of the new year.
The successful bid for the 535-pound fish was placed by the operator of a popular sushi restaurant group, which operates restaurants throughout Japan and internationally.
"The year's tuna brings fortune," remarked the company president, a familiar figure at the yearly new year's auction.
Dubbed the Tuna Tycoon, this industry figure is renowned for placing high bids for bluefin tuna at these high-profile January auctions.
Auction Surprise and Record-Setting Past
Following the auction, the successful bidder informed the press that he was "taken aback at the amount," stating, "I expected we would be able to acquire it a little at a lower price, but the price escalated in no time."
This most recent acquisition tops his previous historic purchases:
- He bid 56.5 million yen back 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 saying that he thought he "overdid it," he has now managed to shatter his personal record another time.
A Tradition of High Prices
The inaugural auction at the Toyosu fish market is traditionally known for exorbitant prices. In the prior year, the initial tuna was bought for 207 million yen by a separate food company, which announced the fish would be available at its eateries throughout the country.
The high-energy atmosphere at the fish market during these pre-sunrise auctions has become a popular tourist attraction in Tokyo. Monday's auction, which began around 05:00 local time, was equally bustling.
Swift Service
The multi-million-dollar tuna was shortly thereafter prepared for diners at the bidder's sushi chains shortly after the auction was finished.
"I feel like I've started the year in a good way after eating something so auspicious as the year gets underway," shared one satisfied diner.
