Bluefin Tuna Fetches Historic Sum of $3.2m at Japanese Capital Auction
A bulky bluefin tuna caused a stir at the Tokyo's Toyosu fish market this Monday, garnering a historic bid of 510.3 million yen ($3.2 million; £2.4m) during the venue's inaugural auction of the calendar year.
The top offer for the 535-pound fish came from the operator of a well-known sushi restaurant group, which runs restaurants across the country and overseas.
"The first tuna brings fortune," commented the entrepreneur, a notable figure at the traditional new year's auction.
Known as the King of Tuna, this entrepreneur is noted for submitting high bids for premium bluefin tuna at these high-profile new year auctions.
Bidding Shock and Historic Precedent
After the auction, the successful bidder informed reporters that he was "taken aback at the amount," noting, "I believed we would be able to purchase it a little at a lower price, but the price soared before you knew it."
This latest purchase tops his previous notable purchases:
- He bid 56.5 million yen away in 2012.
- He spent 155 million yen in 2013.
- In 2019, he purchased a tuna for 333.6 million yen ($2.1m).
Despite previously commenting that he thought he "overdid it," he has now managed to shatter his own record once again.
A Tradition of Exorbitant Bids
The opening auction at the Tokyo fish market is typically characterized by sky-high prices. The previous year, the initial tuna was acquired for 207 million yen by a separate food company, which stated the fish would be featured at its eateries across Japan.
The high-energy activity at the fish market during these early morning auctions has become a popular spectacle in Tokyo. Monday's auction, which started around 05:00 local time, was equally bustling.
From Auction to Plate
The extremely valuable tuna was promptly prepared for customers at the bidder's sushi restaurants immediately after the auction concluded.
"I feel like I've begun the year in a positive way after tasting something so auspicious as the year starts," shared one elated diner.
