Bluefin Fish Commands Historic Sum of $3.2m at Tokyo New Year Sale
A substantial bluefin tuna made headlines at the Tokyo's Toyosu fish market this Monday, garnering a unprecedented bid of 510.3 million yen ($3.2 million; £2.4m) during the venue's opening auction of the new year.
The winning bid for the 535-pound fish came from the operator of a well-known sushi restaurant group, which runs restaurants across the country and overseas.
"An inaugural tuna heralds fortune," stated the entrepreneur, a familiar figure at the yearly January sale.
Known as the King of Tuna, this businessman is renowned for placing record bids for premium bluefin tuna at these auspicious January auctions.
Bidding Shock and Historic Precedent
Following the auction, the successful bidder told journalists that he was "taken aback at the final price," stating, "I expected we would be able to acquire it a little for less, but the price soared before you knew it."
This most recent acquisition exceeds his previous record purchases:
- He secured a tuna for 56.5 million yen away in 2012.
- He paid 155 million yen the following year.
- In 2019, he won a tuna for 333.6 million yen ($2.1m).
Despite once saying that he thought he "overdid it," he has now managed to surpass his own record another time.
A Tradition of High Prices
The first auction at the Tokyo fish market is typically characterized by sky-high prices. Last year, the first tuna was acquired for 207 million yen by a different sushi chain operator, which indicated the fish would be served at its locations across Japan.
The high-energy activity at the fish market during these pre-sunrise auctions has transformed into a must-see event in Tokyo. Monday's auction, which began around 05:00 local time, was equally bustling.
Swift Service
The multi-million-dollar tuna was promptly processed for diners at the entrepreneur's sushi establishments shortly after the auction concluded.
"I feel like I've commenced the year in a good way after consuming something so lucky as the year starts," shared one elated customer.
