Bluefin Fish Sells for Record Price of $3.2 million at Japanese Capital New Year Sale
A substantial bluefin tuna made headlines at the Tokyo's Toyosu fish market this Monday, garnering a historic bid of 510.3 million yen (3.2 million US dollars; ÂŁ2.4m) during the market's first auction of the calendar year.
The top bid for the 243-kilogram fish was placed by the operator of a popular sushi restaurant group, which manages locations domestically and internationally.
"The first tuna heralds fortune," remarked the business owner, a regular bidder at the annual new year's auction.
Referred to as the Tuna King, this businessman is famous for making substantial bids for bluefin tuna at these high-profile new year auctions.
Bidding Surprise and Record-Setting Precedent
Following the auction, the winner admitted to journalists that he was "taken aback at the amount," stating, "I had thought we would be able to buy it a little cheaper, but the price soared before you knew it."
This latest acquisition surpasses his own historic purchases:
- He paid 56.5 million yen away in 2012.
- He paid 155 million yen the following year.
- In 2019, he acquired a tuna for 333.6 million yen ($2.1m).
Even after previously remarking that he thought he "did too much," he has now gone on to shatter his own record once again.
A Tradition of High Prices
The opening auction at the Toyosu fish market is notoriously characterized by sky-high prices. In the prior year, the initial tuna was acquired for 207 million yen by a separate food company, which stated the fish would be featured at its restaurants nationwide.
The high-energy energy at the fish market during these early morning auctions has transformed into a popular tourist attraction in Tokyo. Monday's auction, which commenced around 05:00 local time, was no different.
From Auction to Plate
The record-priced tuna was promptly processed for customers at the entrepreneur's sushi establishments immediately after the auction ended.
"I feel like I've started the year in a auspicious way after consuming something so fortune-bringing as the year begins," said one elated customer.
