Pacific Bluefin Tuna Fetches Record Price of 3.2 million dollars at Japanese Capital Auction
A substantial bluefin tuna caused a stir at the Tokyo's Toyosu fish market this Monday, garnering a historic bid of 510.3 million yen ($3.2 million; £2.4m) during the venue's inaugural auction of the new year.
The winning offer for the 243kg fish was placed by the company of a popular sushi restaurant group, which manages restaurants across the country and internationally.
"An inaugural tuna brings good luck," commented the company president, a regular participant at the yearly first sale.
Referred to as the King of Tuna, this businessman is famous for making record bids for bluefin tuna at these auspicious January auctions.
Auction Shock and Record-Setting Past
After the auction, the winner admitted to journalists that he was "surprised at the winning bid," stating, "I believed we would be able to acquire it a little cheaper, but the price escalated in no time."
This latest purchase exceeds his own record purchases:
- He paid 56.5 million yen back in 2012.
- He bid 155 million yen a year later.
- In 2019, he acquired a tuna for 333.6 million yen ($2.1m).
Despite once saying that he thought he "overdid it," he has now managed to shatter his own record another time.
An Annual Spectacle of Exorbitant Bids
The first auction at the Toyosu fish market is notoriously characterized by exorbitant prices. Last year, the first tuna was purchased for 207 million yen by another food company, which stated the fish would be available at its eateries nationwide.
The high-energy activity at the fish market during these early morning auctions has evolved into a must-see spectacle in Tokyo. Monday's auction, which began around 05:00 local time, was equally bustling.
From Auction to Plate
The record-priced tuna was quickly prepared for patrons at the entrepreneur's sushi restaurants shortly after the auction ended.
"I feel like I've started the year in a good way after tasting something so lucky as the year starts," remarked one satisfied diner.
