Pacific Bluefin Fish Fetches Record Price of $3.2 million at Japanese Capital New Year Sale
A bulky Pacific bluefin tuna created waves at the Toyosu fish market this Monday, securing a unprecedented bid of 510.3 million yen ($3.2m; £2.4m) during the market's first auction of the year.
The top offer for the 243kg fish came from the operator of a popular sushi restaurant group, which operates outlets throughout Japan and internationally.
"The year's tuna signals a prosperous start," stated the company president, a regular bidder at the annual January sale.
Referred to as the Tuna King, this industry figure is renowned for making high bids for bluefin tuna at these auspicious new year auctions.
Bidding Surprise and Historic Precedent
Following the auction, the successful bidder told reporters that he was "astonished at the final price," noting, "I had thought we would be able to acquire it a little for less, but the price soared rapidly."
This most recent acquisition tops his own historic purchases:
- He secured a tuna for 56.5 million yen back in 2012.
- He paid 155 million yen in 2013.
- In 2019, he acquired a tuna for 333.6 million yen ($2.1m).
Despite previously commenting that he thought he "overdid it," he has now gone on to shatter his personal record another time.
An Annual Spectacle of High Prices
The inaugural auction at the Tokyo fish market is notoriously known for exceptionally high prices. The previous year, the initial tuna was acquired for 207 million yen by a different sushi chain operator, which announced the fish would be served at its locations throughout the country.
The frenetic energy at the fish market during these early morning auctions has become a must-see tourist attraction in Tokyo. Monday's auction, which began around 05:00 local time, was no different.
Swift Service
The multi-million-dollar tuna was shortly thereafter processed for diners at the winner's sushi restaurants soon after the auction was finished.
"I sense like I've commenced the year in a auspicious way after eating something so lucky as the year gets underway," remarked one satisfied customer.
