Bluefin Fish Commands Record Price of $3.2 million at Tokyo New Year Sale
A bulky bluefin tuna made headlines at the Toyosu fish market this Monday, achieving a unprecedented bid of 510.3 million yen ($3.2 million; £2.4m) during the venue's first auction of the year.
The successful bid for the 243-kilogram fish came from the parent firm of a well-known sushi chain, which runs restaurants throughout Japan and internationally.
"An inaugural tuna brings good luck," commented the business owner, a notable figure at the yearly January sale.
Known as the Tuna King, this entrepreneur is famous for making substantial bids for premium bluefin tuna at these auspicious year-opening auctions.
Auction Shock and Record-Setting Precedent
After the auction, the successful bidder told reporters that he was "surprised at the final price," adding, "I had thought we would be able to purchase it a little at a lower price, but the price soared before you knew it."
This latest purchase tops his previous record purchases:
- He secured a tuna for 56.5 million yen away in 2012.
- He bid 155 million yen a year later.
- In 2019, he won a tuna for 333.6 million yen ($2.1 million).
Even after once saying that he thought he "overdid it," he has now proceeded to surpass his own record yet again.
A Tradition of High Prices
The first auction at the Tokyo fish market is typically associated with exorbitant prices. Last year, the first tuna was acquired for 207 million yen by another culinary group, which stated the fish would be featured at its eateries nationwide.
The intense energy at the fish market during these pre-sunrise auctions has become a popular spectacle in Tokyo. Monday's auction, which commenced around 05:00 local time, was no different.
Immediate Consumption
The extremely valuable tuna was quickly processed for patrons at the entrepreneur's sushi establishments immediately after the auction was finished.
"I believe like I've begun the year in a auspicious way after tasting something so auspicious as the year gets underway," said one elated diner.
