Bluefin Tuna Fetches Historic Bid of $3.2m at Tokyo Auction
A massive Pacific bluefin tuna caused a stir at the Tokyo's Toyosu fish market this Monday, garnering a record-breaking bid of 510.3 million yen ($3.2m; £2.4m) during the venue's first auction of the year.
The top offer for the 243-kilogram fish was submitted by the company of a nationwide sushi restaurant group, which manages outlets across the country and internationally.
"An inaugural tuna signals a prosperous start," commented the company president, a familiar figure at the traditional January sale.
Known as the King of Tuna, this entrepreneur is noted for submitting high bids for premium bluefin tuna at these high-profile year-opening auctions.
Auction Shock and Record-Setting Past
After the auction, the winner told journalists that he was "surprised at the amount," stating, "I expected we would be able to buy it a little for less, but the price escalated in no time."
This most recent purchase exceeds his own notable purchases:
- He paid 56.5 million yen back in 2012.
- He paid 155 million yen in 2013.
- In 2019, he purchased a tuna for 333.6 million yen ($2.1m).
Even after previously saying that he thought he "bid too high," he has now managed to shatter his personal record another time.
A Tradition of Exorbitant Bids
The opening auction at the Tokyo fish market is notoriously known for exceptionally high prices. Last year, the initial tuna was acquired for 207 million yen by a separate food company, which stated the fish would be featured at its restaurants throughout the country.
The frenetic energy at the fish market during these pre-dawn auctions has become a popular spectacle in Tokyo. Monday's auction, which commenced around 05:00 local time, was no exception.
Immediate Consumption
The record-priced tuna was promptly processed for diners at the winner's sushi chains immediately after the auction ended.
"I sense like I've commenced the year in a good way after tasting something so lucky as the year gets underway," remarked one satisfied customer.
