Bluefin Fish Fetches Record Sum of $3.2m at Japanese Capital Auction
A substantial Pacific 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 market's first auction of the new year.
The winning offer for the 243-kilogram fish came from the operator of a nationwide sushi restaurant group, which manages restaurants across the country and abroad.
"The year's tuna signals a prosperous start," commented the company president, a notable figure at the traditional January sale.
Known as the King of Tuna, this industry figure is famous for submitting substantial bids for premium bluefin tuna at these high-profile January auctions.
Bidding Surprise and Record-Setting Precedent
Following the auction, the winner admitted to the press that he was "surprised at the winning bid," adding, "I had thought we would be able to buy it a little at a lower price, but the price escalated rapidly."
This new purchase exceeds his own record purchases:
- He secured a tuna for 56.5 million yen back in 2012.
- He spent 155 million yen the following year.
- In 2019, he acquired a tuna for 333.6 million yen (2.1 million dollars).
Despite once remarking that he thought he "bid too high," he has now gone on to break his own record another time.
A Tradition of Exorbitant Bids
The inaugural auction at the Tokyo fish market is typically known for exceptionally high prices. The previous year, the first tuna was purchased for 207 million yen by a separate food company, which announced the fish would be available at its eateries nationwide.
The frenetic atmosphere at the fish market during these early morning auctions has transformed into a popular spectacle in Tokyo. Monday's auction, which started around 05:00 local time, was no different.
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The extremely valuable tuna was promptly prepared for diners at the entrepreneur's sushi chains shortly after the auction was finished.
"I sense like I've started the year in a good way after consuming something so auspicious as the year starts," shared one happy patron.