Pacific Bluefin Fish Fetches Unprecedented Price of $3.2m at Japanese Capital New Year Sale
A bulky Pacific bluefin tuna caused a stir at the Tokyo's Toyosu fish market this Monday, garnering a historic bid of 510.3 million yen ($3.2 million; £2.4m) during the venue's opening auction of the new year.
The successful offer for the 535-pound fish was placed by the operator of a well-known sushi restaurant group, which runs outlets throughout Japan and overseas.
"The first tuna heralds good luck," remarked the entrepreneur, a regular figure at the annual first sale.
Dubbed the Tuna Tycoon, this businessman is famous for submitting record bids for premium bluefin tuna at these auspicious new year auctions.
Auction Surprise and Historic Past
Following the auction, the successful bidder informed journalists that he was "taken aback at the final price," adding, "I expected we would be able to purchase it a little for less, but the price escalated in no time."
This latest purchase exceeds his previous notable purchases:
- He secured a tuna for 56.5 million yen back in 2012.
- He spent 155 million yen the following year.
- In 2019, he won a tuna for 333.6 million yen ($2.1m).
Even after once commenting that he thought he "overdid it," he has now proceeded to shatter his personal record once again.
An Annual Spectacle of Exorbitant Bids
The opening auction at the Tokyo fish market is typically known for exceptionally high prices. The previous year, the initial tuna was purchased for 207 million yen by another sushi chain operator, which announced the fish would be featured at its locations nationwide.
The frenetic activity at the fish market during these pre-dawn auctions has become a must-see spectacle in Tokyo. Monday's auction, which commenced around 05:00 local time, was no different.
Immediate Consumption
The multi-million-dollar tuna was quickly prepared for customers at the entrepreneur's sushi establishments soon after the auction ended.
"I feel like I've started the year in a auspicious way after eating something so auspicious as the year starts," said one happy customer.
