Bluefin Tuna Fetches Unprecedented Price of 3.2 million dollars at Japanese Capital New Year Sale
A bulky bluefin tuna created waves at the Toyosu fish market this Monday, achieving a unprecedented bid of 510.3 million yen ($3.2m; £2.4m) during the market's inaugural auction of the calendar year.
The successful offer for the 243-kilogram fish came from the parent firm of a popular sushi restaurant group, which runs restaurants across the country and internationally.
"The first tuna heralds good luck," remarked the entrepreneur, a familiar participant at the traditional first sale.
Referred to as the King of Tuna, this businessman is famous for placing record bids for premium bluefin tuna at these high-profile January auctions.
Bidding Surprise and Record-Setting Past
After the auction, the successful bidder informed journalists that he was "taken aback at the winning bid," adding, "I had thought we would be able to buy it a little at a lower price, but the price skyrocketed before you knew it."
This new acquisition exceeds his own notable purchases:
- He secured a tuna for 56.5 million yen back in 2012.
- He bid 155 million yen a year later.
- In 2019, he acquired a tuna for 333.6 million yen ($2.1m).
Despite once remarking that he thought he "overdid it," he has now proceeded to break his personal record another time.
A Tradition of Exorbitant Bids
The first auction at the Toyosu fish market is traditionally associated with exceptionally high prices. In the prior year, the first tuna was purchased for 207 million yen by a separate sushi chain operator, which announced the fish would be available at its eateries throughout the country.
The frenetic energy at the fish market during these early morning auctions has evolved into a must-see spectacle in Tokyo. Monday's auction, which started around 05:00 local time, was no exception.
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The record-priced tuna was shortly thereafter prepared for customers at the entrepreneur's sushi restaurants soon after the auction concluded.
"I sense like I've begun the year in a auspicious way after consuming something so auspicious as the year starts," remarked one elated customer.