Bluefin Tuna Sells for Unprecedented Sum of $3.2m at Japanese Capital New Year Sale
A substantial Pacific bluefin tuna made headlines at the Toyosu fish market this Monday, securing a historic bid of 510.3 million yen ($3.2 million; £2.4m) during the venue's opening auction of the year.
The top bid for the 535-pound fish was submitted by the company of a well-known sushi restaurant group, which manages outlets throughout Japan and abroad.
"The first tuna brings good luck," remarked the entrepreneur, a regular figure at the yearly new year's auction.
Known as the Tuna King, this businessman is noted for making high bids for premium bluefin tuna at these symbolic new year auctions.
Bidding Shock and Historic Precedent
After the auction, the winner told the press that he was "taken aback at the final price," stating, "I had thought we would be able to purchase it a little for less, but the price skyrocketed rapidly."
This new purchase tops his own historic purchases:
- He bid 56.5 million yen away in 2012.
- He paid 155 million yen a year later.
- In 2019, he won a tuna for 333.6 million yen ($2.1 million).
Despite previously commenting that he thought he "overdid it," he has now proceeded to surpass his personal record once again.
An Annual Spectacle of High Prices
The first auction at the Toyosu fish market is traditionally known for sky-high prices. In the prior year, the initial tuna was acquired for 207 million yen by another food company, which announced the fish would be available at its locations throughout the country.
The intense energy at the fish market during these early morning auctions has become a must-see spectacle in Tokyo. Monday's auction, which began around 05:00 local time, was equally bustling.
Immediate Consumption
The multi-million-dollar tuna was promptly processed for diners at the bidder's sushi chains immediately after the auction concluded.
"I sense like I've started the year in a positive way after eating something so auspicious as the year starts," said one happy customer.
