Pacific Bluefin Tuna Fetches Unprecedented Price of $3.2m at Japanese Capital Auction
A bulky Pacific bluefin tuna created waves at the Tokyo's Toyosu fish market this Monday, securing a record-breaking bid of 510.3 million yen (3.2 million US dollars; £2.4m) during the market's first auction of the new year.
The top offer for the 243-kilogram fish was placed by the parent firm of a nationwide sushi chain, which manages locations throughout Japan and internationally.
"An inaugural tuna brings good luck," remarked the entrepreneur, a notable bidder at the annual first sale.
Dubbed the King of Tuna, this entrepreneur is famous for submitting high bids for bluefin tuna at these high-profile January auctions.
Auction Shock and Historic Past
Following the auction, the successful bidder told journalists that he was "taken aback at the winning bid," stating, "I believed we would be able to acquire it a little cheaper, but the price skyrocketed rapidly."
This most recent purchase surpasses his previous notable purchases:
- He paid 56.5 million yen back in 2012.
- He paid 155 million yen a year later.
- In 2019, he acquired a tuna for 333.6 million yen ($2.1 million).
Even after once saying that he thought he "did too much," he has now managed to surpass his own record another time.
A Tradition of Exorbitant Bids
The first auction at the Toyosu fish market is traditionally associated with sky-high prices. The previous year, the first tuna was purchased for 207 million yen by a different culinary group, which stated the fish would be available at its restaurants across Japan.
The frenetic atmosphere at the fish market during these pre-dawn auctions has transformed into a popular event in Tokyo. Monday's auction, which started around 05:00 local time, was equally bustling.
Swift Service
The extremely valuable tuna was shortly thereafter prepared for customers at the winner's sushi restaurants immediately after the auction concluded.
"I feel like I've started the year in a auspicious way after consuming something so lucky as the year begins," remarked one elated patron.
