Bluefin Tuna Fetches Record Bid 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 first auction of the calendar year.
The top offer for the 243kg fish was submitted by the company of a nationwide sushi chain, which operates locations throughout Japan and internationally.
"The first tuna brings good luck," remarked the company president, a notable figure at the yearly first sale.
Dubbed the King of Tuna, this industry figure is noted for placing substantial bids for bluefin tuna at these symbolic year-opening auctions.
Bidding Surprise and Historic Precedent
After the auction, the winner admitted to reporters that he was "surprised at the final price," adding, "I believed we would be able to acquire it a little at a lower price, but the price soared in no time."
This most recent purchase surpasses his previous historic purchases:
- He secured a tuna for 56.5 million yen back in 2012.
- He bid 155 million yen in 2013.
- In 2019, he won a tuna for 333.6 million yen ($2.1 million).
Despite once saying that he thought he "bid too high," he has now gone on to shatter his own record yet again.
An Annual Spectacle of Exorbitant Bids
The first auction at the Tokyo fish market is notoriously associated with exceptionally high prices. Last year, the initial tuna was bought for 207 million yen by a different culinary group, which indicated the fish would be featured at its eateries throughout the country.
The intense atmosphere at the fish market during these pre-dawn auctions has become a must-see tourist attraction in Tokyo. Monday's auction, which commenced around 05:00 local time, was equally bustling.
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The record-priced tuna was promptly processed for customers at the entrepreneur's sushi establishments immediately after the auction ended.
"I feel like I've begun the year in a positive way after tasting something so fortune-bringing as the year starts," said one happy diner.
