Pacific Bluefin Tuna Fetches Unprecedented Sum of 3.2 million dollars at Tokyo New Year Sale
A massive bluefin tuna created waves at the Toyosu fish market this Monday, garnering a unprecedented bid of 510.3 million yen (3.2 million US dollars; £2.4m) during the market's first auction of the calendar year.
The winning bid for the 243-kilogram fish was placed by the operator of a nationwide sushi restaurant group, which operates outlets domestically and internationally.
"The first tuna brings fortune," stated the business owner, a notable figure at the traditional new year's auction.
Known as the King of Tuna, this industry figure is renowned for submitting substantial bids for bluefin tuna at these high-profile new year auctions.
Auction Shock and Historic Precedent
After the auction, the successful bidder told the press that he was "taken aback at the final price," adding, "I believed we would be able to purchase it a little cheaper, but the price escalated in no time."
This new purchase tops his own record purchases:
- He paid 56.5 million yen back in 2012.
- He bid 155 million yen a year later.
- In 2019, he purchased a tuna for 333.6 million yen (2.1 million dollars).
Even after previously saying that he thought he "bid too high," he has now proceeded to break his own record yet again.
A Tradition of Exorbitant Bids
The opening auction at the Tokyo fish market is traditionally characterized by exceptionally high prices. Last year, the initial tuna was bought for 207 million yen by a separate food company, which stated the fish would be available at its locations nationwide.
The intense energy at the fish market during these early morning auctions has become a must-see spectacle in Tokyo. Monday's auction, which began around 05:00 local time, was no exception.
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The multi-million-dollar tuna was promptly processed for patrons at the bidder's sushi chains soon after the auction ended.
"I feel like I've started the year in a good way after eating something so auspicious as the year gets underway," shared one happy customer.
