Pacific Bluefin Fish Sells for Unprecedented Sum of $3.2 million at Tokyo Auction
A bulky Pacific bluefin tuna created waves at the Tokyo's Toyosu fish market this Monday, achieving a record-breaking bid of 510.3 million yen ($3.2m; £2.4m) during the venue's inaugural auction of the year.
The winning bid for the 535-pound fish was submitted by the company of a nationwide sushi restaurant group, which manages locations domestically and abroad.
"An inaugural tuna heralds fortune," remarked the entrepreneur, a notable bidder at the annual first sale.
Known as the Tuna King, this businessman is noted for placing record bids for premium bluefin tuna at these symbolic new year auctions.
Bidding Surprise and Historic Past
Following the auction, the winner admitted to the press that he was "astonished at the winning bid," adding, "I believed we would be able to acquire it a little for less, but the price soared rapidly."
This most recent acquisition exceeds his previous record purchases:
- He secured a tuna for 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 ($2.1m).
Even after previously commenting that he thought he "overdid it," he has now gone on to shatter his own record yet again.
An Annual Spectacle of Exorbitant Bids
The opening auction at the Toyosu fish market is typically characterized by exceptionally high prices. Last year, the first tuna was acquired for 207 million yen by a separate sushi chain operator, which announced the fish would be featured at its locations throughout the country.
The frenetic activity at the fish market during these pre-sunrise auctions has become a major spectacle in Tokyo. Monday's auction, which commenced around 05:00 local time, was no different.
From Auction to Plate
The record-priced tuna was shortly thereafter sliced up for customers at the bidder's sushi restaurants immediately after the auction was finished.
"I believe like I've started the year in a good way after eating something so lucky as the year begins," remarked one elated customer.
