Bluefin Fish Commands Record Price of $3.2m at Japanese Capital Auction
A substantial Pacific 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 inaugural auction of the year.
The winning bid for the 535-pound fish was placed by the operator of a popular sushi restaurant group, which manages restaurants domestically and overseas.
"The year's tuna signals a prosperous start," commented the business owner, a notable figure at the yearly new year's auction.
Known as the King of Tuna, this businessman is renowned for making high bids for premium bluefin tuna at these auspicious January auctions.
Bidding Shock and Record-Setting Precedent
After the auction, the successful bidder told reporters that he was "surprised at the amount," stating, "I had thought we would be able to acquire it a little cheaper, but the price skyrocketed rapidly."
This latest acquisition exceeds his own historic purchases:
- He secured a tuna for 56.5 million yen back in 2012.
- He paid 155 million yen in 2013.
- In 2019, he purchased a tuna for 333.6 million yen (2.1 million dollars).
Despite previously commenting that he thought he "bid too high," he has now gone on to surpass his own record yet again.
A Tradition of Exorbitant Bids
The opening auction at the Tokyo fish market is notoriously known for exceptionally high prices. Last year, the initial tuna was purchased for 207 million yen by another culinary group, which stated the fish would be served at its locations across Japan.
The frenetic energy at the fish market during these early morning auctions has become a must-see spectacle in Tokyo. Monday's auction, which started around 05:00 local time, was no exception.
From Auction to Plate
The record-priced tuna was promptly sliced up for customers at the entrepreneur's sushi restaurants shortly after the auction concluded.
"I sense like I've started the year in a auspicious way after eating something so lucky as the year begins," shared one happy patron.
