Bluefin Fish Sells for Record Price of $3.2m at Japanese Capital Auction
A massive bluefin tuna created waves at the Toyosu fish market this Monday, achieving a unprecedented bid of 510.3 million yen (3.2 million US dollars; ÂŁ2.4m) during the market's inaugural 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 outlets across the country and overseas.
"The first tuna heralds fortune," stated the company president, a regular participant at the annual new year's auction.
Referred to as the Tuna King, this industry figure is renowned for making substantial bids for premium bluefin tuna at these high-profile new year auctions.
Auction Shock and Historic Precedent
After the auction, the successful bidder informed journalists that he was "astonished at the final price," adding, "I believed we would be able to purchase it a little cheaper, but the price skyrocketed in no time."
This new purchase exceeds his own historic purchases:
- He secured a tuna for 56.5 million yen away in 2012.
- He paid 155 million yen the following year.
- In 2019, he acquired a tuna for 333.6 million yen (2.1 million dollars).
Despite once saying that he thought he "bid too high," he has now gone on to shatter his personal record yet again.
A Tradition of High Prices
The opening auction at the Toyosu fish market is notoriously characterized by sky-high prices. Last year, the initial tuna was purchased for 207 million yen by another food company, which announced the fish would be served at its restaurants nationwide.
The intense energy at the fish market during these early morning auctions has become a must-see tourist attraction 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 bidder's sushi chains immediately after the auction was finished.
"I believe like I've begun the year in a auspicious way after consuming something so auspicious as the year starts," shared one happy customer.