Bluefin Fish Sells for Historic Price of $3.2 million at Tokyo New Year Sale
A bulky bluefin tuna caused a stir at the Tokyo's Toyosu fish market this Monday, securing a record-breaking bid of 510.3 million yen ($3.2m; £2.4m) during the venue's first auction of the calendar year.
The successful offer for the 243-kilogram fish was submitted by the parent firm of a well-known sushi chain, which runs restaurants across the country and overseas.
"An inaugural tuna brings fortune," remarked the company president, a regular participant at the traditional new year's auction.
Dubbed the King of Tuna, this entrepreneur is renowned for submitting substantial bids for premium bluefin tuna at these auspicious year-opening auctions.
Auction Shock and Record-Setting Precedent
Following the auction, the winner told the press that he was "astonished at the winning bid," adding, "I had thought we would be able to buy it a little at a lower price, but the price escalated in no time."
This most recent acquisition tops his previous record purchases:
- He paid 56.5 million yen away in 2012.
- He paid 155 million yen a year later.
- In 2019, he won a tuna for 333.6 million yen ($2.1m).
Even after once remarking that he thought he "bid too high," he has now gone on to break his own record another time.
A Tradition of Exorbitant Bids
The inaugural auction at the Tokyo fish market is traditionally associated with exorbitant prices. The previous year, the initial tuna was purchased for 207 million yen by another sushi chain operator, which stated the fish would be featured at its eateries nationwide.
The high-energy activity at the fish market during these pre-dawn auctions has evolved into a must-see spectacle in Tokyo. Monday's auction, which commenced around 05:00 local time, was no different.
Immediate Consumption
The record-priced tuna was promptly prepared for patrons at the bidder's sushi establishments immediately after the auction concluded.
"I feel like I've commenced the year in a good way after consuming something so fortune-bringing as the year gets underway," shared one elated customer.
