Bluefin Tuna Commands Record Price of $3.2m at Japanese Capital New Year Sale
A bulky Pacific bluefin tuna caused a stir at the Tokyo's Toyosu fish market this Monday, securing a record-breaking bid of 510.3 million yen ($3.2 million; £2.4m) during the venue's first auction of the new year.
The successful bid for the 243kg fish was submitted by the company of a popular sushi chain, which manages restaurants throughout Japan and abroad.
"The year's tuna heralds good luck," remarked the company president, a familiar bidder at the traditional first sale.
Known as the Tuna Tycoon, this entrepreneur is renowned for making high bids for premium bluefin tuna at these symbolic new year auctions.
Bidding Shock and Record-Setting Past
Following the auction, the successful bidder informed the press that he was "surprised at the amount," stating, "I expected we would be able to acquire it a little at a lower price, but the price skyrocketed before you knew it."
This most recent acquisition surpasses his previous historic purchases:
- He bid 56.5 million yen back in 2012.
- He spent 155 million yen the following year.
- In 2019, he purchased a tuna for 333.6 million yen (2.1 million dollars).
Despite once commenting that he thought he "bid too high," he has now gone on to break his own record yet again.
A Tradition of Exorbitant Bids
The inaugural auction at the Toyosu fish market is notoriously characterized by exceptionally high prices. Last year, the first tuna was bought for 207 million yen by a different sushi chain operator, which indicated the fish would be featured at its restaurants across Japan.
The high-energy atmosphere at the fish market during these early morning auctions has become a must-see spectacle in Tokyo. Monday's auction, which began around 05:00 local time, was no exception.
From Auction to Plate
The record-priced tuna was shortly thereafter processed for patrons at the entrepreneur's sushi chains shortly after the auction ended.
"I feel like I've started the year in a positive way after tasting something so auspicious as the year begins," remarked one elated customer.
