Pacific Bluefin Tuna Fetches Unprecedented Sum of $3.2 million at Tokyo Auction
A substantial Pacific bluefin tuna caused a stir at the Tokyo's Toyosu fish market this Monday, garnering a unprecedented bid of 510.3 million yen ($3.2 million; £2.4m) during the market's first auction of the calendar year.
The top bid for the 243-kilogram fish was submitted by the parent firm of a nationwide sushi restaurant group, which manages restaurants across the country and abroad.
"The first tuna signals good luck," stated the company president, a notable participant at the annual first sale.
Known as the Tuna King, this industry figure is famous for placing substantial bids for premium bluefin tuna at these symbolic year-opening auctions.
Auction Surprise and Record-Setting Past
After the auction, the successful bidder told reporters that he was "astonished at the amount," noting, "I had thought we would be able to buy it a little cheaper, but the price escalated rapidly."
This most recent purchase exceeds his previous record purchases:
- He secured a tuna for 56.5 million yen back in 2012.
- He paid 155 million yen in 2013.
- In 2019, he purchased a tuna for 333.6 million yen ($2.1 million).
Despite previously saying that he thought he "overdid it," he has now proceeded to shatter his personal record yet again.
An Annual Spectacle of High Prices
The inaugural auction at the Toyosu fish market is typically known for exorbitant prices. In the prior year, the initial tuna was bought for 207 million yen by a different food company, which stated the fish would be available at its restaurants nationwide.
The intense energy at the fish market during these early morning auctions has evolved into a popular spectacle in Tokyo. Monday's auction, which started around 05:00 local time, was no exception.
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The multi-million-dollar tuna was shortly thereafter prepared for customers at the bidder's sushi chains shortly after the auction was finished.
"I feel like I've begun the year in a auspicious way after tasting something so fortune-bringing as the year gets underway," remarked one elated customer.