Pacific Bluefin Tuna Sells for Historic Sum of 3.2 million dollars at Tokyo Auction
A substantial bluefin tuna caused a stir at the Toyosu fish market this Monday, achieving a historic bid of 510.3 million yen (3.2 million US dollars; £2.4m) during the market's opening auction of the new year.
The winning offer for the 243-kilogram fish came from the operator of a well-known sushi chain, which manages outlets across the country and overseas.
"The year's tuna heralds good luck," commented the business owner, a familiar bidder at the traditional first sale.
Dubbed the Tuna Tycoon, this businessman is famous for making high bids for premium bluefin tuna at these high-profile new year auctions.
Auction Shock and Historic Precedent
Following the auction, the successful bidder told the press that he was "astonished at the final price," stating, "I expected we would be able to acquire it a little cheaper, but the price escalated in no time."
This new acquisition exceeds his own historic purchases:
- He bid 56.5 million yen away in 2012.
- He paid 155 million yen in 2013.
- In 2019, he acquired a tuna for 333.6 million yen ($2.1m).
Even after previously remarking that he thought he "overdid it," he has now managed to shatter his own record another time.
An Annual Spectacle of Exorbitant Bids
The first auction at the Toyosu fish market is traditionally associated with exorbitant prices. The previous year, the first tuna was purchased for 207 million yen by a separate sushi chain operator, which stated the fish would be featured at its eateries nationwide.
The intense activity at the fish market during these pre-dawn auctions has become a major tourist attraction in Tokyo. Monday's auction, which began around 05:00 local time, was no different.
Swift Service
The multi-million-dollar tuna was quickly prepared for diners at the entrepreneur's sushi chains soon after the auction was finished.
"I sense like I've commenced the year in a good way after eating something so auspicious as the year starts," remarked one satisfied diner.
