A bulky bluefin tuna created waves at the Tokyo's Toyosu fish market this Monday, securing a unprecedented bid of 510.3 million yen ($3.2m; £2.4m) during the venue's inaugural auction of the new year.
The winning offer for the 535-pound fish was placed by the operator of a nationwide sushi chain, which operates restaurants across the country and internationally.
"The year's tuna brings good luck," remarked the company president, a familiar participant at the yearly January sale.
Referred to as the King of Tuna, this entrepreneur is noted for submitting substantial bids for bluefin tuna at these auspicious January auctions.
Auction Surprise and Record-Setting Past
Following the auction, the successful bidder told the press that he was "astonished at the amount," noting, "I believed we would be able to buy it a little cheaper, but the price skyrocketed rapidly."
This new purchase surpasses his previous notable purchases:
- He bid 56.5 million yen back in 2012.
- He bid 155 million yen the following year.
- In 2019, he acquired a tuna for 333.6 million yen ($2.1m).
Even after previously commenting that he thought he "bid too high," he has now proceeded to shatter his personal record another time.
A Tradition of Exorbitant Bids
The opening auction at the Toyosu fish market is typically characterized by sky-high prices. The previous year, the first tuna was bought for 207 million yen by another food company, which indicated the fish would be available at its restaurants across Japan.
The high-energy atmosphere at the fish market during these pre-dawn auctions has evolved into a major tourist attraction in Tokyo. Monday's auction, which commenced around 05:00 local time, was no exception.
From Auction to Plate
The record-priced tuna was shortly thereafter prepared for patrons at the entrepreneur's sushi chains shortly after the auction ended.
"I feel like I've begun the year in a positive way after consuming something so auspicious as the year begins," remarked one satisfied customer.
