Bluefin Tuna Fetches Record Price of 3.2 million dollars at Japanese Capital New Year Sale
A substantial bluefin tuna created waves at the Toyosu fish market this Monday, securing a historic bid of 510.3 million yen (3.2 million US dollars; £2.4m) during the venue's opening auction of the year.
The winning offer for the 243-kilogram fish was placed by the parent firm of a popular sushi restaurant group, which operates outlets domestically and abroad.
"The year's tuna brings good luck," commented the entrepreneur, a notable bidder at the yearly new year's auction.
Known as the King of Tuna, this businessman is noted for placing substantial bids for premium bluefin tuna at these high-profile new year auctions.
Auction Shock and Historic Precedent
After the auction, the successful bidder informed the press that he was "surprised at the winning bid," noting, "I believed we would be able to purchase it a little at a lower price, but the price skyrocketed in no time."
This new acquisition surpasses his previous historic purchases:
- He bid 56.5 million yen back in 2012.
- He bid 155 million yen the following year.
- In 2019, he won a tuna for 333.6 million yen (2.1 million dollars).
Despite previously saying that he thought he "overdid it," he has now gone on to shatter his personal record once again.
An Annual Spectacle of Exorbitant Bids
The first auction at the Toyosu fish market is typically associated with sky-high prices. The previous year, the first tuna was purchased for 207 million yen by a separate sushi chain operator, which stated the fish would be available at its locations nationwide.
The intense energy at the fish market during these pre-sunrise auctions has become a popular tourist attraction in Tokyo. Monday's auction, which commenced around 05:00 local time, was equally bustling.
Immediate Consumption
The multi-million-dollar tuna was promptly sliced up for patrons at the winner's sushi chains immediately after the auction concluded.
"I sense like I've commenced the year in a auspicious way after tasting something so lucky as the year gets underway," said one happy diner.
