Bluefin Tuna Sells for Historic Price of 3.2 million dollars at Japanese Capital New Year Sale
A substantial Pacific bluefin tuna caused a stir at the Toyosu fish market this Monday, garnering a record-breaking bid of 510.3 million yen (3.2 million US dollars; £2.4m) during the venue's inaugural auction of the year.
The top bid for the 535-pound fish came from the operator of a nationwide sushi chain, which operates locations domestically and abroad.
"The first tuna signals a prosperous start," stated the business owner, a notable figure at the annual January sale.
Referred to as the Tuna King, this entrepreneur is renowned for submitting high bids for bluefin tuna at these high-profile year-opening auctions.
Bidding Surprise and Historic Precedent
Following the auction, the winner admitted to the press that he was "astonished at the final price," noting, "I expected we would be able to purchase it a little at a lower price, but the price soared in no time."
This latest acquisition surpasses his own notable purchases:
- He bid 56.5 million yen back in 2012.
- He bid 155 million yen the following year.
- In 2019, he won a tuna for 333.6 million yen (2.1 million dollars).
Even after once saying that he thought he "did too much," he has now gone on to surpass his own record yet again.
An Annual Spectacle of Exorbitant Bids
The first auction at the Tokyo fish market is notoriously characterized by sky-high prices. The previous year, the first tuna was bought for 207 million yen by a separate sushi chain operator, which indicated the fish would be featured at its eateries throughout the country.
The high-energy energy at the fish market during these early morning auctions has evolved into a popular tourist attraction in Tokyo. Monday's auction, which commenced around 05:00 local time, was no different.
Immediate Consumption
The multi-million-dollar tuna was quickly processed for customers at the entrepreneur's sushi chains immediately after the auction was finished.
"I feel like I've commenced the year in a good way after consuming something so fortune-bringing as the year begins," shared one happy customer.
