Pacific Bluefin Tuna Fetches Record Price of 3.2 million dollars at Japanese Capital Auction
A substantial bluefin tuna caused a stir 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 venue's opening auction of the calendar year.
The top bid for the 535-pound fish was placed by the operator of a popular sushi chain, which runs locations throughout Japan and abroad.
"The first tuna heralds good luck," commented the business owner, a regular bidder at the annual first sale.
Dubbed the King of Tuna, this industry figure is famous for submitting high bids for premium bluefin tuna at these symbolic year-opening auctions.
Auction Shock and Record-Setting Past
Following the auction, the successful bidder informed reporters that he was "taken aback at the amount," adding, "I believed we would be able to purchase it a little for less, but the price soared rapidly."
This new purchase tops his previous record purchases:
- He secured a tuna for 56.5 million yen away in 2012.
- He paid 155 million yen in 2013.
- In 2019, he purchased a tuna for 333.6 million yen ($2.1 million).
Despite previously saying that he thought he "bid too high," he has now gone on to break his own record once again.
A Tradition of Exorbitant Bids
The inaugural auction at the Tokyo fish market is traditionally known for sky-high prices. The previous year, the initial tuna was acquired for 207 million yen by a separate culinary group, which indicated the fish would be available at its eateries across Japan.
The high-energy atmosphere at the fish market during these pre-dawn auctions has transformed into a popular tourist attraction in Tokyo. Monday's auction, which commenced around 05:00 local time, was no different.
Immediate Consumption
The record-priced tuna was shortly thereafter processed for customers at the entrepreneur's sushi chains shortly after the auction ended.
"I feel like I've started the year in a positive way after consuming something so auspicious as the year begins," remarked one elated diner.
