Pacific Bluefin Tuna Sells for Record Bid of $3.2 million at Japanese Capital New Year Sale
A substantial bluefin tuna caused a stir at the Toyosu fish market this Monday, achieving a record-breaking bid of 510.3 million yen ($3.2m; £2.4m) during the venue's opening auction of the new year.
The winning bid for the 243kg fish came from the company of a popular sushi restaurant group, which runs outlets across the country and overseas.
"The first tuna brings good luck," remarked the company president, a familiar figure at the traditional first sale.
Referred to as the King of Tuna, this industry figure is famous for submitting high bids for premium bluefin tuna at these high-profile new year auctions.
Bidding Shock and Historic Precedent
After the auction, the winner admitted to reporters that he was "surprised at the final price," adding, "I expected we would be able to purchase it a little at a lower price, but the price skyrocketed rapidly."
This new acquisition surpasses his own record purchases:
- He bid 56.5 million yen back in 2012.
- He spent 155 million yen the following year.
- In 2019, he won a tuna for 333.6 million yen ($2.1m).
Even after previously saying that he thought he "overdid it," he has now gone on to surpass his own record once again.
A Tradition of High Prices
The opening auction at the Toyosu fish market is notoriously associated with exceptionally high prices. In the prior year, the initial tuna was purchased for 207 million yen by a different culinary group, which stated the fish would be featured at its restaurants throughout the country.
The intense atmosphere at the fish market during these pre-dawn auctions has become a major tourist attraction in Tokyo. Monday's auction, which started around 05:00 local time, was equally bustling.
From Auction to Plate
The multi-million-dollar tuna was promptly sliced up for customers at the bidder's sushi establishments soon after the auction ended.
"I sense like I've started the year in a positive way after tasting something so auspicious as the year gets underway," shared one elated patron.
