Bluefin Tuna Commands Record Price of 3.2 million dollars at Tokyo Auction
A bulky Pacific bluefin tuna caused a stir at the Toyosu fish market this Monday, garnering a record-breaking bid of 510.3 million yen ($3.2m; £2.4m) during the market's opening auction of the new year.
The winning offer for the 535-pound fish came from the operator of a nationwide sushi restaurant group, which manages restaurants across the country and abroad.
"The year's tuna brings a prosperous start," stated the company president, a notable bidder at the traditional January sale.
Known as the Tuna King, this industry figure is famous for submitting high bids for bluefin tuna at these high-profile new year auctions.
Auction Surprise and Record-Setting Precedent
After the auction, the successful bidder told journalists that he was "astonished at the final price," noting, "I had thought we would be able to purchase it a little cheaper, but the price skyrocketed in no time."
This new purchase surpasses his previous notable purchases:
- He secured a tuna for 56.5 million yen back in 2012.
- He spent 155 million yen in 2013.
- In 2019, he acquired a tuna for 333.6 million yen (2.1 million dollars).
Even after previously commenting that he thought he "overdid it," he has now gone on to break his own record yet again.
A Tradition of High Prices
The opening auction at the Toyosu fish market is typically associated with sky-high prices. In the prior year, the first tuna was purchased for 207 million yen by a different culinary group, which indicated the fish would be featured at its restaurants nationwide.
The intense atmosphere at the fish market during these pre-sunrise auctions has transformed into a popular spectacle in Tokyo. Monday's auction, which started around 05:00 local time, was no exception.
From Auction to Plate
The extremely valuable tuna was shortly thereafter sliced up for diners at the entrepreneur's sushi establishments shortly after the auction was finished.
"I sense like I've begun the year in a good way after eating something so auspicious as the year gets underway," said one elated customer.
