Bluefin Fish Fetches Record Bid of $3.2 million at Tokyo New Year Sale
A bulky Pacific bluefin tuna made headlines at the Toyosu fish market this Monday, achieving a historic bid of 510.3 million yen (3.2 million US dollars; £2.4m) during the market's opening auction of the calendar year.
The top offer for the 243-kilogram fish was submitted by the company of a well-known sushi chain, which runs locations across the country and internationally.
"The first tuna brings good luck," commented the business owner, a notable figure at the annual first sale.
Known as the Tuna Tycoon, this businessman is renowned for placing high bids for bluefin tuna at these high-profile year-opening auctions.
Auction Surprise and Historic Precedent
Following the auction, the winner told the press that he was "astonished at the amount," adding, "I believed we would be able to purchase it a little cheaper, but the price soared in no time."
This new acquisition exceeds his own record purchases:
- He paid 56.5 million yen away in 2012.
- He paid 155 million yen the following year.
- In 2019, he won a tuna for 333.6 million yen ($2.1m).
Despite previously commenting that he thought he "bid too high," he has now managed to shatter his personal record yet again.
A Tradition of Exorbitant Bids
The opening auction at the Toyosu fish market is typically associated with exceptionally high prices. In the prior year, the first tuna was bought for 207 million yen by another culinary group, which indicated the fish would be served at its restaurants nationwide.
The intense activity at the fish market during these pre-sunrise auctions has evolved into a must-see tourist attraction in Tokyo. Monday's auction, which commenced around 05:00 local time, was no different.
Swift Service
The extremely valuable 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 gets underway," said one elated patron.
