Bluefin Tuna Fetches Record Sum of $3.2m at Tokyo New Year Sale
A massive Pacific bluefin tuna created waves at the Toyosu fish market this Monday, securing a record-breaking bid of 510.3 million yen ($3.2 million; £2.4m) during the market's inaugural auction of the year.
The top offer for the 243kg fish was submitted by the operator of a well-known sushi restaurant group, which manages locations domestically and abroad.
"The first tuna brings good luck," stated the business owner, a notable figure at the traditional first sale.
Known as the King of Tuna, this industry figure is renowned for placing substantial bids for premium bluefin tuna at these auspicious year-opening auctions.
Auction Shock and Historic Precedent
After the auction, the winner admitted to reporters that he was "taken aback at the winning bid," stating, "I believed we would be able to buy it a little cheaper, but the price soared in no time."
This new purchase tops his own historic purchases:
- He secured a tuna for 56.5 million yen back in 2012.
- He bid 155 million yen in 2013.
- In 2019, he purchased a tuna for 333.6 million yen (2.1 million dollars).
Even after once saying that he thought he "bid too high," he has now proceeded to surpass his personal record once again.
A Tradition of Exorbitant Bids
The inaugural auction at the Tokyo fish market is notoriously known for exorbitant prices. Last year, the first tuna was purchased for 207 million yen by a different culinary group, which indicated the fish would be served at its eateries nationwide.
The high-energy activity at the fish market during these pre-dawn auctions has transformed into a major event in Tokyo. Monday's auction, which commenced around 05:00 local time, was equally bustling.
Immediate Consumption
The multi-million-dollar tuna was quickly sliced up for diners at the winner's sushi chains soon after the auction was finished.
"I believe like I've started the year in a auspicious way after consuming something so lucky as the year starts," said one elated customer.
