Pacific Bluefin Tuna Sells for Historic Bid of $3.2m at Japanese Capital Auction
A substantial Pacific bluefin tuna caused a stir at the Toyosu fish market this Monday, garnering a historic bid of 510.3 million yen (3.2 million US dollars; £2.4m) during the market's inaugural auction of the calendar year.
The successful bid for the 243-kilogram fish was placed by the company of a well-known sushi restaurant group, which operates restaurants domestically and abroad.
"The year's tuna signals fortune," stated the company president, a familiar bidder at the traditional first sale.
Known as the King of Tuna, this entrepreneur is renowned for placing substantial bids for bluefin tuna at these high-profile January auctions.
Auction Surprise and Record-Setting Past
After the auction, the winner told journalists that he was "taken aback at the winning bid," adding, "I had thought we would be able to buy it a little for less, but the price soared before you knew it."
This new purchase exceeds his previous notable purchases:
- He secured a tuna for 56.5 million yen away in 2012.
- He paid 155 million yen a year later.
- In 2019, he purchased a tuna for 333.6 million yen ($2.1 million).
Despite previously saying that he thought he "bid too high," he has now proceeded to break his own record once again.
A Tradition of Exorbitant Bids
The first auction at the Toyosu fish market is notoriously known for exorbitant prices. Last year, the initial tuna was acquired for 207 million yen by a different sushi chain operator, which stated the fish would be served at its locations across Japan.
The high-energy activity at the fish market during these pre-sunrise auctions has transformed into a major tourist attraction in Tokyo. Monday's auction, which commenced around 05:00 local time, was no different.
Swift Service
The extremely valuable tuna was shortly thereafter processed for patrons at the bidder's sushi chains immediately after the auction ended.
"I sense like I've begun the year in a auspicious way after eating something so auspicious as the year gets underway," said one happy patron.
