Bluefin Fish Commands Historic Bid of $3.2 million at Tokyo Auction
A massive Pacific bluefin tuna made headlines at the Toyosu fish market this Monday, achieving a historic bid of 510.3 million yen ($3.2m; ÂŁ2.4m) during the market's first auction of the calendar year.
The winning offer for the 243-kilogram fish was placed by the operator of a nationwide sushi chain, which runs restaurants across the country and overseas.
"An inaugural tuna brings fortune," stated the entrepreneur, a regular participant at the annual first sale.
Referred to as the Tuna King, this entrepreneur is famous for submitting record bids for bluefin tuna at these symbolic new year auctions.
Bidding Shock and Record-Setting Precedent
Following the auction, the winner informed the press that he was "taken aback at the amount," adding, "I believed we would be able to acquire it a little for less, but the price soared before you knew it."
This new purchase tops his own notable purchases:
- He paid 56.5 million yen back in 2012.
- He paid 155 million yen a year later.
- In 2019, he won a tuna for 333.6 million yen ($2.1m).
Despite once saying that he thought he "bid too high," he has now gone on to shatter his personal record yet again.
A Tradition of High Prices
The first auction at the Tokyo fish market is traditionally associated with exceptionally high prices. Last year, the first tuna was acquired for 207 million yen by a different food company, which announced the fish would be featured at its locations throughout the country.
The frenetic atmosphere at the fish market during these early morning auctions has become a major event in Tokyo. Monday's auction, which commenced around 05:00 local time, was no different.
Swift Service
The extremely valuable tuna was quickly processed for diners at the entrepreneur's sushi restaurants soon after the auction ended.
"I feel like I've begun the year in a good way after eating something so fortune-bringing as the year begins," remarked one happy patron.
