Bluefin Fish Fetches Record Bid of $3.2 million at Tokyo Auction
A massive bluefin tuna caused a stir at the Toyosu fish market this Monday, securing a unprecedented bid of 510.3 million yen (3.2 million US dollars; £2.4m) during the venue's first auction of the new year.
The successful offer for the 535-pound fish was submitted by the parent firm of a well-known sushi restaurant group, which operates locations across the country and internationally.
"The year's tuna brings a prosperous start," remarked the entrepreneur, a familiar bidder at the annual January sale.
Dubbed the Tuna King, this entrepreneur is noted for making record bids for premium bluefin tuna at these auspicious year-opening auctions.
Auction Surprise and Record-Setting Past
After the auction, the winner told journalists that he was "astonished at the final price," noting, "I had thought we would be able to acquire it a little cheaper, but the price skyrocketed rapidly."
This most recent purchase surpasses his own notable purchases:
- He secured a tuna for 56.5 million yen back in 2012.
- He paid 155 million yen the following year.
- In 2019, he acquired a tuna for 333.6 million yen ($2.1 million).
Despite previously remarking that he thought he "bid too high," he has now gone on to break his own record yet again.
A Tradition of Exorbitant Bids
The first auction at the Toyosu fish market is notoriously characterized by sky-high prices. Last year, the initial tuna was bought for 207 million yen by a different culinary group, which stated the fish would be featured at its locations nationwide.
The high-energy activity at the fish market during these pre-sunrise auctions has evolved into a major tourist attraction in Tokyo. Monday's auction, which started around 05:00 local time, was no different.
Immediate Consumption
The extremely valuable tuna was promptly prepared for patrons at the entrepreneur's sushi establishments immediately after the auction concluded.
"I feel like I've started the year in a positive way after eating something so fortune-bringing as the year gets underway," remarked one happy diner.
