Bluefin Fish Sells for Unprecedented Price of $3.2m at Tokyo New Year Sale
A substantial bluefin tuna created waves at the Tokyo's Toyosu fish market this Monday, garnering a unprecedented bid of 510.3 million yen ($3.2 million; £2.4m) during the market's first auction of the new year.
The successful bid for the 243kg fish came from the company of a well-known sushi chain, which manages restaurants domestically and overseas.
"The first tuna signals a prosperous start," remarked the company president, a regular figure at the annual first sale.
Known as the Tuna King, this industry figure is renowned for making high bids for premium bluefin tuna at these high-profile new year auctions.
Auction Shock and Record-Setting Past
After the auction, the successful bidder told journalists that he was "surprised at the winning bid," stating, "I believed we would be able to buy it a little for less, but the price escalated rapidly."
This new acquisition surpasses 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 purchased a tuna for 333.6 million yen ($2.1m).
Despite once saying that he thought he "did too much," he has now managed to shatter his personal record once again.
An Annual Spectacle of Exorbitant Bids
The first auction at the Toyosu fish market is traditionally known for sky-high prices. Last year, the initial tuna was acquired for 207 million yen by a different food company, which indicated the fish would be available at its locations throughout the country.
The intense activity at the fish market during these pre-sunrise auctions has transformed into a popular event in Tokyo. Monday's auction, which commenced around 05:00 local time, was no different.
From Auction to Plate
The multi-million-dollar tuna was quickly prepared for patrons at the bidder's sushi restaurants soon after the auction concluded.
"I sense like I've begun the year in a good way after tasting something so auspicious as the year begins," remarked one elated patron.
