Bluefin Tuna Sells for Historic Sum of $3.2 million at Tokyo Auction
A bulky bluefin tuna created waves at the Tokyo's Toyosu fish market this Monday, garnering a unprecedented bid of 510.3 million yen (3.2 million US dollars; £2.4m) during the venue's opening auction of the year.
The winning offer for the 535-pound fish came from the operator of a nationwide sushi chain, which operates locations throughout Japan and overseas.
"The year's tuna brings good luck," remarked the company president, a familiar participant at the annual first sale.
Referred to as the Tuna Tycoon, this entrepreneur is noted for placing substantial bids for bluefin tuna at these high-profile new year auctions.
Auction Surprise and Record-Setting Past
After the auction, the successful bidder admitted to the press that he was "taken aback at the winning bid," noting, "I believed we would be able to purchase it a little at a lower price, but the price soared before you knew it."
This latest acquisition exceeds his previous historic purchases:
- He paid 56.5 million yen back in 2012.
- He spent 155 million yen a year later.
- In 2019, he won a tuna for 333.6 million yen ($2.1m).
Even after once saying that he thought he "did too much," he has now managed to surpass his own record once again.
A Tradition of Exorbitant Bids
The inaugural auction at the Toyosu fish market is notoriously characterized by exceptionally high prices. In the prior year, the first tuna was bought for 207 million yen by another culinary group, which announced the fish would be served at its locations across Japan.
The intense activity at the fish market during these pre-dawn auctions has become a major tourist attraction in Tokyo. Monday's auction, which commenced around 05:00 local time, was no exception.
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The extremely valuable tuna was promptly prepared for diners at the entrepreneur's sushi establishments shortly after the auction ended.
"I believe like I've started the year in a good way after eating something so fortune-bringing as the year gets underway," remarked one happy patron.