Bluefin Fish Fetches Historic Sum of $3.2 million at Tokyo Auction
A massive bluefin tuna made headlines at the Tokyo's Toyosu fish market this Monday, achieving a historic bid of 510.3 million yen ($3.2 million; £2.4m) during the market's inaugural auction of the calendar year.
The successful bid for the 535-pound fish was placed by the operator of a nationwide sushi restaurant group, which operates locations domestically and internationally.
"The year's tuna heralds good luck," remarked the company president, a notable bidder at the yearly first sale.
Referred to as the Tuna King, this businessman is famous for placing high bids for bluefin tuna at these symbolic January auctions.
Auction Surprise and Record-Setting Precedent
After the auction, the successful bidder admitted to reporters that he was "taken aback at the winning bid," adding, "I had thought we would be able to purchase it a little at a lower price, but the price escalated in no time."
This new purchase tops his own historic purchases:
- He secured a tuna for 56.5 million yen away in 2012.
- He bid 155 million yen a year later.
- In 2019, he purchased a tuna for 333.6 million yen (2.1 million dollars).
Even after once remarking that he thought he "overdid it," he has now gone on to surpass his personal record another time.
A Tradition of Exorbitant Bids
The inaugural auction at the Tokyo fish market is traditionally known for exceptionally high prices. Last year, the first tuna was purchased for 207 million yen by a different food company, which stated the fish would be available at its restaurants nationwide.
The intense activity at the fish market during these pre-sunrise auctions has become a must-see tourist attraction in Tokyo. Monday's auction, which began around 05:00 local time, was no exception.
Swift Service
The multi-million-dollar tuna was shortly thereafter processed for diners at the winner's sushi chains immediately after the auction ended.
"I believe like I've commenced the year in a auspicious way after eating something so auspicious as the year gets underway," shared one elated diner.
