Pacific Bluefin Tuna Commands Record Price of 3.2 million dollars at Japanese Capital Auction
A bulky bluefin tuna made headlines at the Toyosu fish market this Monday, securing a record-breaking bid of 510.3 million yen (3.2 million US dollars; £2.4m) during the market's first auction of the year.
The successful bid for the 243-kilogram fish came from the operator of a well-known sushi restaurant group, which runs locations throughout Japan and abroad.
"The first tuna brings a prosperous start," stated the entrepreneur, a regular bidder at the annual first sale.
Referred to as the King of Tuna, this entrepreneur is noted for placing record bids for bluefin tuna at these auspicious new year auctions.
Bidding Surprise and Record-Setting Precedent
Following the auction, the successful bidder admitted to the press that he was "astonished at the amount," noting, "I believed we would be able to buy it a little for less, but the price escalated in no time."
This new purchase tops his previous record purchases:
- He secured a tuna for 56.5 million yen back 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 saying that he thought he "overdid it," he has now managed to surpass his personal record once again.
A Tradition of Exorbitant Bids
The first auction at the Toyosu fish market is traditionally known for exceptionally high prices. Last year, the first tuna was purchased for 207 million yen by a separate food company, which indicated the fish would be served at its eateries throughout the country.
The intense atmosphere at the fish market during these pre-sunrise auctions has transformed into a major spectacle in Tokyo. Monday's auction, which commenced around 05:00 local time, was equally bustling.
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The extremely valuable tuna was shortly thereafter sliced up for customers at the bidder's sushi restaurants immediately after the auction was finished.
"I sense like I've commenced the year in a positive way after tasting something so fortune-bringing as the year begins," remarked one elated diner.
