Bluefin Fish Sells for Record Sum of $3.2m at Tokyo New Year Sale
A substantial bluefin tuna caused a stir at the Tokyo's 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 calendar year.
The top bid for the 243-kilogram fish came from the company of a well-known sushi chain, which operates restaurants throughout Japan and overseas.
"The year's tuna heralds a prosperous start," stated the company president, a regular participant at the yearly January sale.
Referred to as the Tuna King, this industry figure is renowned for submitting substantial bids for bluefin tuna at these high-profile January auctions.
Auction Surprise and Historic Past
Following the auction, the winner told reporters that he was "astonished at the winning bid," stating, "I had thought we would be able to buy it a little for less, but the price skyrocketed rapidly."
This latest acquisition surpasses his previous historic purchases:
- He secured a tuna for 56.5 million yen back in 2012.
- He spent 155 million yen in 2013.
- In 2019, he purchased a tuna for 333.6 million yen ($2.1m).
Despite previously saying that he thought he "bid too high," he has now gone on to surpass his own record another time.
A Tradition of High Prices
The first auction at the Toyosu fish market is notoriously associated with sky-high prices. Last year, the initial tuna was acquired for 207 million yen by a different food company, which stated the fish would be featured at its eateries throughout the country.
The frenetic activity at the fish market during these early morning auctions has become a major event in Tokyo. Monday's auction, which started around 05:00 local time, was equally bustling.
From Auction to Plate
The record-priced tuna was quickly sliced up for patrons at the entrepreneur's sushi chains immediately after the auction concluded.
"I feel like I've commenced the year in a positive way after tasting something so fortune-bringing as the year gets underway," said one happy diner.