Bluefin Fish Fetches Unprecedented Sum of 3.2 million dollars at Tokyo New Year Sale
A massive bluefin tuna caused a stir at the Tokyo's Toyosu fish market this Monday, securing a record-breaking bid of 510.3 million yen ($3.2m; £2.4m) during the venue's first auction of the new year.
The winning bid for the 243kg fish was placed by the operator of a popular sushi restaurant group, which manages outlets throughout Japan and overseas.
"The first tuna signals fortune," stated the company president, a notable figure at the annual new year's auction.
Referred to as the Tuna Tycoon, this entrepreneur is renowned for placing high bids for bluefin tuna at these auspicious year-opening auctions.
Auction Surprise and Record-Setting Precedent
After the auction, the winner informed the press that he was "taken aback at the winning bid," noting, "I had thought we would be able to purchase it a little cheaper, but the price escalated before you knew it."
This new acquisition tops his previous record purchases:
- He secured a tuna for 56.5 million yen away in 2012.
- He paid 155 million yen a year later.
- In 2019, he acquired a tuna for 333.6 million yen ($2.1m).
Even after once saying that he thought he "did too much," he has now proceeded to shatter his own record another time.
A Tradition of High Prices
The inaugural auction at the Toyosu fish market is typically known for exceptionally high prices. Last year, the first tuna was purchased for 207 million yen by a separate culinary group, which announced the fish would be served at its eateries throughout the country.
The frenetic energy at the fish market during these pre-sunrise auctions has become a popular tourist attraction in Tokyo. Monday's auction, which started around 05:00 local time, was no different.
Swift Service
The multi-million-dollar tuna was quickly sliced up for customers at the bidder's sushi establishments shortly after the auction ended.
"I sense like I've begun the year in a good way after consuming something so auspicious as the year begins," shared one happy patron.
