Bluefin Tuna Fetches Record Bid of 3.2 million dollars at Tokyo New Year Sale
A bulky bluefin tuna caused a stir at the Toyosu fish market this Monday, achieving a record-breaking bid of 510.3 million yen ($3.2 million; £2.4m) during the market's inaugural auction of the calendar year.
The winning bid for the 535-pound fish was submitted by the operator of a popular sushi chain, which runs outlets domestically and overseas.
"The year's tuna signals good luck," remarked the entrepreneur, a familiar figure at the annual January sale.
Known as the King of Tuna, this entrepreneur is renowned for placing substantial bids for bluefin tuna at these symbolic January auctions.
Bidding Surprise and Historic Past
After the auction, the successful bidder told the press that he was "astonished at the winning bid," adding, "I believed we would be able to buy it a little for less, but the price escalated before you knew it."
This latest acquisition surpasses his own notable purchases:
- He bid 56.5 million yen away in 2012.
- He bid 155 million yen a year later.
- In 2019, he won a tuna for 333.6 million yen ($2.1 million).
Despite previously commenting that he thought he "bid too high," he has now proceeded to break his own record yet again.
An Annual Spectacle of High Prices
The opening auction at the Tokyo fish market is traditionally known for sky-high prices. Last year, the initial tuna was purchased for 207 million yen by a separate sushi chain operator, which announced the fish would be served at its eateries throughout the country.
The intense activity at the fish market during these pre-dawn auctions has evolved into a major tourist attraction in Tokyo. Monday's auction, which began around 05:00 local time, was equally bustling.
Swift Service
The extremely valuable tuna was quickly processed for patrons at the winner's sushi restaurants soon 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 begins," said one satisfied customer.