Bluefin Fish Sells for Unprecedented Bid of $3.2 million at Japanese Capital 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 ($3.2m; ÂŁ2.4m) during the venue's first auction of the calendar year.
The winning offer for the 243-kilogram fish came from the company of a well-known sushi chain, which runs outlets across the country and overseas.
"The first tuna signals fortune," remarked the company president, a regular bidder at the traditional January sale.
Dubbed the King of Tuna, this industry figure is famous for placing record bids for bluefin tuna at these auspicious new year auctions.
Auction Surprise and Record-Setting Precedent
After the auction, the winner informed the press that he was "taken aback at the final price," adding, "I believed we would be able to acquire it a little at a lower price, but the price soared before you knew it."
This new acquisition surpasses his previous historic purchases:
- He bid 56.5 million yen back in 2012.
- He spent 155 million yen in 2013.
- In 2019, he won a tuna for 333.6 million yen ($2.1 million).
Even after previously commenting that he thought he "did too much," he has now gone on to break his personal record another time.
An Annual Spectacle of High Prices
The first auction at the Toyosu fish market is traditionally associated with exorbitant prices. Last year, the initial tuna was purchased for 207 million yen by another food company, which announced the fish would be featured at its locations across Japan.
The high-energy atmosphere at the fish market during these pre-sunrise auctions has transformed into a major spectacle in Tokyo. Monday's auction, which started around 05:00 local time, was no exception.
From Auction to Plate
The extremely valuable tuna was quickly sliced up for customers at the winner's sushi establishments shortly after the auction ended.
"I sense like I've started the year in a auspicious way after consuming something so auspicious as the year gets underway," shared one elated customer.
