Pacific Bluefin Tuna Fetches Historic Sum of $3.2 million at Tokyo New Year Sale
A massive bluefin tuna caused a stir at the Tokyo's Toyosu fish market this Monday, achieving a unprecedented bid of 510.3 million yen (3.2 million US dollars; £2.4m) during the venue's inaugural auction of the calendar year.
The successful bid for the 243kg fish was submitted by the operator of a well-known sushi chain, which operates restaurants domestically and overseas.
"The first tuna signals good luck," remarked the business owner, a regular figure at the traditional first sale.
Dubbed the Tuna Tycoon, this industry figure is renowned for submitting high bids for premium bluefin tuna at these auspicious January auctions.
Auction Shock and Record-Setting Past
After the auction, the successful bidder admitted to reporters that he was "astonished at the winning bid," noting, "I expected we would be able to purchase it a little at a lower price, but the price escalated rapidly."
This new acquisition surpasses his own historic purchases:
- He paid 56.5 million yen back in 2012.
- He paid 155 million yen the following year.
- In 2019, he acquired a tuna for 333.6 million yen ($2.1m).
Despite once commenting that he thought he "did too much," he has now managed to break his personal record yet again.
A Tradition of Exorbitant Bids
The first auction at the Toyosu fish market is typically associated with sky-high prices. Last year, the first tuna was bought for 207 million yen by a separate sushi chain operator, which indicated the fish would be available at its restaurants throughout the country.
The intense atmosphere at the fish market during these pre-sunrise auctions has become a major tourist attraction in Tokyo. Monday's auction, which started around 05:00 local time, was no different.
Immediate Consumption
The extremely valuable tuna was quickly prepared for diners at the winner's sushi establishments shortly after the auction was finished.
"I feel like I've begun the year in a positive way after consuming something so auspicious as the year gets underway," said one satisfied customer.
