Pacific Bluefin Fish Fetches Historic Price of $3.2m at Japanese Capital Auction
A massive bluefin tuna caused a stir at the Tokyo's Toyosu fish market this Monday, securing a unprecedented bid of 510.3 million yen (3.2 million US dollars; £2.4m) during the market's inaugural auction of the calendar year.
The successful bid for the 243-kilogram fish was placed by the parent firm of a popular sushi restaurant group, which runs restaurants domestically and abroad.
"The first tuna signals good luck," remarked the business owner, a regular bidder at the annual first sale.
Referred to as the Tuna King, this industry figure is renowned for submitting high bids for premium bluefin tuna at these auspicious year-opening auctions.
Auction Surprise and Historic Precedent
After the auction, the winner admitted to reporters that he was "taken aback at the final price," adding, "I expected we would be able to purchase it a little cheaper, but the price soared in no time."
This most recent purchase surpasses his own record purchases:
- He bid 56.5 million yen away in 2012.
- He paid 155 million yen a year later.
- In 2019, he purchased a tuna for 333.6 million yen ($2.1m).
Despite previously saying that he thought he "did too much," he has now gone on to shatter his personal record yet again.
A Tradition of Exorbitant Bids
The inaugural auction at the Toyosu fish market is typically associated with exorbitant prices. The previous year, the initial tuna was purchased for 207 million yen by a different food company, which announced the fish would be featured at its eateries throughout the country.
The frenetic activity at the fish market during these pre-sunrise auctions has become a must-see tourist attraction in Tokyo. Monday's auction, which started around 05:00 local time, was no different.
Immediate Consumption
The record-priced tuna was shortly thereafter processed for diners at the bidder's sushi establishments immediately after the auction concluded.
"I feel like I've commenced the year in a positive way after tasting something so lucky as the year gets underway," said one happy diner.
