Pacific Bluefin Fish Fetches Historic Price of 3.2 million dollars at Japanese Capital Auction
A massive bluefin tuna caused a stir at the Tokyo's Toyosu fish market this Monday, securing a unprecedented bid of 510.3 million yen (3.2 million US dollars; £2.4m) during the venue's opening auction of the new year.
The winning bid for the 243kg fish was placed by the company of a nationwide sushi restaurant group, which operates locations across the country and internationally.
"The year's tuna signals good luck," stated the entrepreneur, a familiar bidder at the traditional January sale.
Dubbed the King of Tuna, this entrepreneur is famous for making high bids for bluefin tuna at these symbolic January auctions.
Bidding Shock and Record-Setting Precedent
After the auction, the winner admitted to journalists that he was "surprised at the amount," adding, "I expected we would be able to purchase it a little cheaper, but the price skyrocketed rapidly."
This latest purchase tops his own historic purchases:
- He bid 56.5 million yen back in 2012.
- He spent 155 million yen in 2013.
- In 2019, he purchased a tuna for 333.6 million yen ($2.1m).
Despite previously remarking that he thought he "bid too high," he has now managed to shatter his own record once again.
A Tradition of High Prices
The first auction at the Tokyo fish market is notoriously known for sky-high prices. Last year, the first tuna was bought for 207 million yen by a separate food company, which announced the fish would be available at its locations throughout the country.
The high-energy activity at the fish market during these pre-sunrise auctions has transformed into a must-see spectacle in Tokyo. Monday's auction, which began around 05:00 local time, was no different.
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The record-priced tuna was quickly processed for customers at the winner's sushi chains soon after the auction was finished.
"I believe like I've started the year in a positive way after consuming something so fortune-bringing as the year starts," shared one satisfied customer.
