Pacific Bluefin Tuna Sells for Record Bid of $3.2 million at Tokyo Auction
A massive Pacific bluefin tuna caused a stir at the Tokyo's Toyosu fish market this Monday, securing a record-breaking bid of 510.3 million yen ($3.2 million; ÂŁ2.4m) during the venue's first auction of the new year.
The successful offer for the 535-pound fish came from the company of a popular sushi chain, which runs locations domestically and abroad.
"The year's tuna signals a prosperous start," stated the business owner, a familiar figure at the yearly January sale.
Dubbed the King of Tuna, this businessman is noted for placing high bids for bluefin tuna at these auspicious January auctions.
Bidding Surprise and Record-Setting Past
Following the auction, the winner admitted to the press that he was "surprised at the winning bid," adding, "I believed we would be able to acquire it a little cheaper, but the price escalated in no time."
This most recent acquisition tops his previous historic purchases:
- He paid 56.5 million yen away in 2012.
- He paid 155 million yen a year later.
- In 2019, he acquired a tuna for 333.6 million yen ($2.1m).
Even after previously remarking that he thought he "bid too high," he has now managed to shatter his own record yet again.
An Annual Spectacle of Exorbitant Bids
The opening auction at the Toyosu fish market is traditionally characterized by exorbitant prices. The previous year, the initial tuna was bought for 207 million yen by another food company, which stated the fish would be available at its eateries across Japan.
The frenetic activity at the fish market during these pre-dawn auctions has evolved into a major event in Tokyo. Monday's auction, which began around 05:00 local time, was no exception.
Immediate Consumption
The multi-million-dollar tuna was promptly processed for patrons at the winner's sushi chains soon after the auction was finished.
"I feel like I've commenced the year in a auspicious way after eating something so fortune-bringing as the year begins," said one satisfied patron.
