Pacific Bluefin Tuna Fetches Record Price of $3.2m at Tokyo Auction
A bulky Pacific bluefin tuna caused a stir 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 calendar year.
The successful offer for the 243kg fish came from the operator of a nationwide sushi chain, which manages locations throughout Japan and internationally.
"The first tuna brings good luck," commented the business owner, a regular bidder at the annual January sale.
Dubbed the King of Tuna, this industry figure is renowned for placing record bids for bluefin tuna at these high-profile January auctions.
Auction Shock and Record-Setting Past
After the auction, the successful bidder admitted to reporters that he was "surprised at the winning bid," adding, "I had thought we would be able to acquire it a little cheaper, but the price soared in no time."
This latest acquisition tops his previous record purchases:
- He paid 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).
Despite once commenting that he thought he "did too much," he has now proceeded to break his own record once again.
An Annual Spectacle of Exorbitant Bids
The opening auction at the Tokyo fish market is notoriously known for exorbitant prices. Last year, the initial tuna was purchased for 207 million yen by a separate sushi chain operator, which indicated the fish would be available at its eateries nationwide.
The frenetic activity at the fish market during these early morning auctions has transformed into a popular spectacle in Tokyo. Monday's auction, which began around 05:00 local time, was no exception.
Immediate Consumption
The record-priced tuna was promptly prepared for diners at the bidder's sushi restaurants soon after the auction ended.
"I sense like I've commenced the year in a good way after tasting something so fortune-bringing as the year gets underway," said one happy customer.