Pacific Bluefin Fish Fetches Unprecedented Bid of 3.2 million dollars at Tokyo Auction
A massive Pacific bluefin tuna created waves at the Toyosu fish market this Monday, achieving a record-breaking bid of 510.3 million yen ($3.2 million; £2.4m) during the venue's inaugural auction of the calendar year.
The successful offer for the 243kg fish came from the parent firm of a well-known sushi restaurant group, which operates locations across the country and abroad.
"An inaugural tuna brings a prosperous start," remarked the entrepreneur, a regular bidder at the yearly first sale.
Referred to as the King of Tuna, this entrepreneur is noted for making high bids for bluefin tuna at these symbolic new year auctions.
Auction Shock and Historic Past
After the auction, the winner told the press that he was "taken aback at the amount," noting, "I had thought we would be able to purchase it a little cheaper, but the price soared in no time."
This most recent purchase surpasses his previous historic purchases:
- He paid 56.5 million yen back in 2012.
- He paid 155 million yen in 2013.
- In 2019, he won a tuna for 333.6 million yen ($2.1m).
Despite previously saying that he thought he "overdid it," he has now gone on to break his own record once again.
An Annual Spectacle of High Prices
The inaugural auction at the Toyosu fish market is traditionally characterized by sky-high prices. The previous year, the first tuna was bought for 207 million yen by a different culinary group, which stated the fish would be served at its restaurants across Japan.
The intense atmosphere at the fish market during these pre-dawn auctions has become a major event in Tokyo. Monday's auction, which started around 05:00 local time, was no exception.
Immediate Consumption
The record-priced tuna was quickly sliced up for customers at the winner's sushi chains shortly after the auction ended.
"I believe like I've commenced the year in a good way after consuming something so lucky as the year starts," shared one elated diner.
