Pacific Bluefin Fish Sells for Unprecedented Price of 3.2 million dollars at Tokyo Auction
A substantial bluefin tuna created waves at the Tokyo's Toyosu fish market this Monday, garnering a unprecedented bid of 510.3 million yen (3.2 million US dollars; ÂŁ2.4m) during the market's inaugural auction of the calendar year.
The winning bid for the 243kg fish was submitted by the operator of a well-known sushi chain, which operates locations domestically and abroad.
"The year's tuna heralds good luck," commented the company president, a notable figure at the yearly new year's auction.
Referred to as the Tuna King, this businessman is renowned for making substantial bids for bluefin tuna at these symbolic year-opening auctions.
Bidding Surprise and Historic Past
Following the auction, the winner informed the press that he was "astonished at the final price," stating, "I believed we would be able to buy it a little for less, but the price escalated in no time."
This new acquisition tops his previous historic purchases:
- He bid 56.5 million yen away in 2012.
- He spent 155 million yen in 2013.
- In 2019, he purchased a tuna for 333.6 million yen ($2.1m).
Even after once remarking that he thought he "did too much," he has now proceeded to surpass his personal record another time.
An Annual Spectacle of Exorbitant Bids
The opening auction at the Tokyo fish market is notoriously characterized by exceptionally high prices. Last year, the initial tuna was bought for 207 million yen by a separate sushi chain operator, which stated the fish would be featured at its restaurants nationwide.
The frenetic energy at the fish market during these early morning auctions has become a must-see tourist attraction in Tokyo. Monday's auction, which commenced around 05:00 local time, was no different.
Immediate Consumption
The record-priced tuna was quickly prepared for customers at the winner's sushi chains soon after the auction ended.
"I feel like I've begun the year in a auspicious way after eating something so fortune-bringing as the year gets underway," shared one elated patron.