Pacific Bluefin Fish Sells for Historic Price of $3.2m at Tokyo Auction
A substantial Pacific bluefin tuna created waves at the Toyosu fish market this Monday, garnering a record-breaking bid of 510.3 million yen (3.2 million US dollars; £2.4m) during the venue's first auction of the year.
The successful offer for the 243kg fish was placed by the operator of a nationwide sushi chain, which operates outlets domestically and abroad.
"The year's tuna heralds a prosperous start," remarked the entrepreneur, a regular bidder at the yearly new year's auction.
Dubbed the Tuna King, this businessman is noted for making substantial bids for premium bluefin tuna at these high-profile year-opening auctions.
Bidding Surprise and Historic Precedent
Following the auction, the winner admitted to journalists that he was "surprised at the final price," noting, "I expected we would be able to acquire it a little at a lower price, but the price skyrocketed rapidly."
This new acquisition exceeds his previous record purchases:
- He secured a tuna for 56.5 million yen away in 2012.
- He spent 155 million yen in 2013.
- In 2019, he acquired a tuna for 333.6 million yen ($2.1m).
Even after once remarking that he thought he "overdid it," he has now gone on to surpass his personal record once again.
A Tradition of Exorbitant Bids
The first auction at the Tokyo fish market is traditionally characterized by exorbitant prices. The previous year, the initial tuna was bought for 207 million yen by another food company, which announced the fish would be featured at its locations throughout the country.
The frenetic activity at the fish market during these early morning auctions has evolved into a must-see spectacle in Tokyo. Monday's auction, which commenced around 05:00 local time, was no different.
From Auction to Plate
The multi-million-dollar tuna was shortly thereafter prepared for patrons at the entrepreneur's sushi chains immediately after the auction ended.
"I feel like I've commenced the year in a auspicious way after tasting something so auspicious as the year starts," said one elated diner.
