Pacific Bluefin Tuna Fetches Historic Sum of 3.2 million dollars at Tokyo Auction
A massive Pacific bluefin tuna created waves at the Tokyo's Toyosu fish market this Monday, achieving a historic bid of 510.3 million yen (3.2 million US dollars; £2.4m) during the market's inaugural auction of the calendar year.
The top offer for the 243kg fish was placed by the parent firm of a popular sushi chain, which operates restaurants across the country and abroad.
"The year's tuna signals a prosperous start," stated the entrepreneur, a notable figure at the annual January sale.
Known as the King of Tuna, this industry figure is renowned for making high bids for premium bluefin tuna at these high-profile January auctions.
Auction Surprise and Historic Past
Following the auction, the winner told reporters that he was "surprised at the winning bid," stating, "I believed we would be able to buy it a little at a lower price, but the price soared before you knew it."
This new acquisition surpasses his previous notable purchases:
- He paid 56.5 million yen away in 2012.
- He bid 155 million yen a year later.
- In 2019, he purchased a tuna for 333.6 million yen ($2.1m).
Even after previously saying that he thought he "bid too high," he has now proceeded to surpass his own record once again.
A Tradition of Exorbitant Bids
The opening auction at the Toyosu fish market is notoriously known for sky-high prices. In the prior year, the first tuna was purchased for 207 million yen by a separate sushi chain operator, which indicated the fish would be available at its restaurants nationwide.
The high-energy atmosphere at the fish market during these pre-dawn auctions has become a popular tourist attraction in Tokyo. Monday's auction, which commenced around 05:00 local time, was no exception.
Immediate Consumption
The extremely valuable tuna was promptly prepared for diners at the entrepreneur's sushi restaurants immediately after the auction concluded.
"I believe like I've started the year in a good way after eating something so lucky as the year gets underway," said one happy diner.
