Bluefin Fish Fetches Unprecedented Price of $3.2 million at Tokyo Auction
A bulky Pacific bluefin tuna caused a stir at the Toyosu fish market this Monday, securing a historic bid of 510.3 million yen ($3.2m; £2.4m) during the market's inaugural auction of the new year.
The winning bid for the 243-kilogram fish was placed by the company of a popular sushi restaurant group, which runs locations throughout Japan and overseas.
"An inaugural tuna brings a prosperous start," commented the entrepreneur, a familiar figure at the traditional January sale.
Dubbed the Tuna Tycoon, this entrepreneur is noted for submitting substantial bids for bluefin tuna at these symbolic January auctions.
Auction Surprise and Record-Setting Precedent
After the auction, the successful bidder informed the press that he was "surprised at the winning bid," adding, "I had thought we would be able to acquire it a little at a lower price, but the price escalated rapidly."
This new acquisition surpasses his own notable purchases:
- He paid 56.5 million yen away in 2012.
- He paid 155 million yen in 2013.
- In 2019, he acquired a tuna for 333.6 million yen ($2.1 million).
Even after once saying that he thought he "bid too high," he has now gone on to break his personal record another time.
A Tradition of Exorbitant Bids
The inaugural auction at the Tokyo fish market is traditionally known for exorbitant prices. The previous year, the first tuna was bought for 207 million yen by another food company, which indicated the fish would be featured at its eateries throughout the country.
The intense activity at the fish market during these pre-dawn auctions has evolved into a must-see event in Tokyo. Monday's auction, which began around 05:00 local time, was no different.
From Auction to Plate
The record-priced tuna was shortly thereafter sliced up for customers at the entrepreneur's sushi chains soon after the auction ended.
"I believe like I've begun the year in a good way after eating something so lucky as the year gets underway," shared one elated patron.