Pacific Bluefin Tuna Sells for Unprecedented Bid of $3.2 million at Japanese Capital Auction
A massive bluefin tuna made headlines at the Toyosu fish market this Monday, securing a record-breaking bid of 510.3 million yen ($3.2 million; £2.4m) during the market's opening auction of the new year.
The winning offer for the 243-kilogram fish came from the company of a popular sushi chain, which operates restaurants across the country and internationally.
"An inaugural tuna brings fortune," stated the entrepreneur, a familiar participant at the yearly new year's auction.
Dubbed the Tuna Tycoon, this industry figure is renowned for placing high bids for premium bluefin tuna at these auspicious January auctions.
Auction Surprise and Record-Setting Past
After the auction, the winner told journalists that he was "astonished at the amount," stating, "I had thought we would be able to buy it a little cheaper, but the price soared in no time."
This most recent purchase tops his previous record 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 (2.1 million dollars).
Despite once remarking that he thought he "bid too high," he has now managed to shatter his personal record yet again.
A Tradition of Exorbitant Bids
The opening auction at the Toyosu fish market is notoriously known for sky-high prices. Last year, the first tuna was bought for 207 million yen by another sushi chain operator, which stated the fish would be served at its locations nationwide.
The intense atmosphere at the fish market during these pre-sunrise auctions has evolved into a must-see tourist attraction in Tokyo. Monday's auction, which began around 05:00 local time, was no different.
Immediate Consumption
The extremely valuable tuna was shortly thereafter prepared for diners at the winner's sushi establishments soon after the auction concluded.
"I believe like I've begun the year in a auspicious way after tasting something so fortune-bringing as the year begins," shared one elated customer.
