Bluefin Fish Fetches Record Price of 3.2 million dollars at Japanese Capital Auction
A massive bluefin tuna created waves 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 market's inaugural auction of the year.
The successful bid for the 535-pound fish was submitted by the operator of a well-known sushi restaurant group, which runs restaurants domestically and overseas.
"The first tuna heralds fortune," remarked the business owner, a notable participant at the annual first sale.
Referred to as the Tuna King, this entrepreneur is renowned for placing high bids for premium bluefin tuna at these auspicious new year auctions.
Bidding Surprise and Historic Precedent
After the auction, the winner told journalists that he was "astonished at the final price," noting, "I believed we would be able to acquire it a little cheaper, but the price skyrocketed in no time."
This latest acquisition surpasses his own notable purchases:
- He bid 56.5 million yen away in 2012.
- He bid 155 million yen the following year.
- In 2019, he won a tuna for 333.6 million yen ($2.1m).
Even after once commenting that he thought he "did too much," he has now gone on to shatter his own record once again.
An Annual Spectacle of High Prices
The first auction at the Tokyo fish market is traditionally associated with exorbitant prices. Last year, the first tuna was purchased for 207 million yen by a different sushi chain operator, which announced the fish would be served at its eateries across Japan.
The high-energy activity at the fish market during these pre-dawn auctions has evolved into a must-see spectacle in Tokyo. Monday's auction, which commenced around 05:00 local time, was no different.
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The record-priced tuna was shortly thereafter sliced up for customers at the entrepreneur's sushi chains shortly after the auction concluded.
"I feel like I've begun the year in a auspicious way after consuming something so lucky as the year gets underway," shared one elated customer.
