Pacific Bluefin Tuna Fetches Historic Sum of $3.2m at Japanese Capital Auction
A bulky Pacific 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 inaugural auction of the new year.
The successful offer for the 535-pound fish was submitted by the parent firm of a popular sushi restaurant group, which manages locations throughout Japan and abroad.
"An inaugural tuna brings a prosperous start," stated the business owner, a regular figure at the traditional new year's auction.
Referred to as the King of Tuna, this entrepreneur is noted for making high bids for bluefin tuna at these symbolic year-opening auctions.
Auction Shock and Record-Setting Past
After the auction, the winner admitted to the press that he was "surprised at the amount," stating, "I expected we would be able to acquire it a little cheaper, 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 purchased a tuna for 333.6 million yen (2.1 million dollars).
Even after once remarking that he thought he "did too much," he has now managed to surpass his personal record another time.
A Tradition of Exorbitant Bids
The first auction at the Toyosu fish market is traditionally known for exceptionally high prices. Last year, the initial tuna was bought for 207 million yen by a different food company, which indicated the fish would be served at its restaurants nationwide.
The intense energy at the fish market during these pre-dawn auctions has transformed into a popular spectacle in Tokyo. Monday's auction, which began around 05:00 local time, was no different.
From Auction to Plate
The record-priced tuna was shortly thereafter processed for customers at the entrepreneur's sushi restaurants shortly after the auction ended.
"I believe like I've begun the year in a auspicious way after tasting something so lucky as the year gets underway," said one satisfied patron.
