Pacific Bluefin Fish Sells for Record Price of 3.2 million dollars at Japanese Capital New Year Sale
A bulky Pacific bluefin tuna made headlines at the Tokyo's Toyosu fish market this Monday, achieving 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 successful offer for the 243-kilogram fish was placed by the operator of a nationwide sushi chain, which operates restaurants throughout Japan and internationally.
"The first tuna heralds good luck," stated the entrepreneur, a familiar figure at the yearly first sale.
Known as the Tuna King, this entrepreneur is famous for submitting high bids for bluefin tuna at these symbolic year-opening auctions.
Bidding Shock and Record-Setting Precedent
Following the auction, the successful bidder told reporters that he was "taken aback at the final price," adding, "I had thought we would be able to buy it a little cheaper, but the price escalated before you knew it."
This new purchase surpasses his own historic purchases:
- He paid 56.5 million yen back in 2012.
- He spent 155 million yen in 2013.
- In 2019, he purchased a tuna for 333.6 million yen ($2.1 million).
Even after previously remarking that he thought he "bid too high," he has now proceeded to shatter his personal record yet again.
An Annual Spectacle of Exorbitant Bids
The first auction at the Tokyo fish market is traditionally characterized by exceptionally high prices. The previous year, the first tuna was purchased for 207 million yen by a separate culinary group, which announced the fish would be featured at its locations across Japan.
The high-energy activity at the fish market during these pre-dawn auctions has become a must-see spectacle in Tokyo. Monday's auction, which began around 05:00 local time, was no exception.
Immediate Consumption
The extremely valuable tuna was shortly thereafter processed for customers at the winner's sushi establishments immediately after the auction concluded.
"I believe like I've started the year in a auspicious way after eating something so auspicious as the year starts," shared one elated patron.
