Bluefin Fish Sells for Historic Bid of $3.2 million at Tokyo New Year Sale
A massive Pacific bluefin tuna created waves at the Toyosu fish market this Monday, garnering a historic bid of 510.3 million yen ($3.2m; £2.4m) during the venue's inaugural auction of the new year.
The successful offer for the 243kg fish came from the company of a popular sushi chain, which manages locations across the country and overseas.
"The year's tuna signals good luck," stated the entrepreneur, a notable participant at the yearly new year's auction.
Referred to as the Tuna King, this businessman is renowned for making high bids for bluefin tuna at these auspicious January auctions.
Auction Shock and Historic Precedent
After the auction, the winner admitted to journalists that he was "astonished at the final price," adding, "I believed we would be able to purchase it a little for less, but the price skyrocketed before you knew it."
This most recent purchase surpasses his own record purchases:
- He paid 56.5 million yen away in 2012.
- He bid 155 million yen a year later.
- In 2019, he won a tuna for 333.6 million yen (2.1 million dollars).
Despite previously commenting that he thought he "bid too high," he has now proceeded to shatter his own record yet again.
An Annual Spectacle of High Prices
The inaugural auction at the Tokyo fish market is typically associated with exceptionally high prices. Last year, the first tuna was bought for 207 million yen by another culinary group, which announced the fish would be available at its locations nationwide.
The frenetic activity at the fish market during these early morning auctions has become a must-see event in Tokyo. Monday's auction, which began around 05:00 local time, was no different.
From Auction to Plate
The multi-million-dollar tuna was quickly sliced up for customers at the winner's sushi chains immediately after the auction concluded.
"I sense like I've commenced the year in a good way after consuming something so lucky as the year begins," shared one happy diner.
