A bulky bluefin tuna caused a stir at the Toyosu fish market this Monday, securing a historic bid of 510.3 million yen ($3.2m; £2.4m) during the market's opening auction of the new year.
The winning offer for the 243kg fish came from the parent firm of a well-known sushi chain, which operates restaurants across the country and abroad.
"An inaugural tuna heralds good luck," commented the company president, a notable bidder at the traditional January sale.
Referred to as the Tuna King, this industry figure is noted for submitting substantial bids for premium bluefin tuna at these high-profile new year auctions.
Auction Shock and Historic Past
After the auction, the winner informed the press that he was "taken aback at the final price," adding, "I had thought we would be able to acquire it a little for less, but the price skyrocketed in no time."
This most recent purchase tops his previous record purchases:
- He bid 56.5 million yen away in 2012.
- He spent 155 million yen a year later.
- In 2019, he purchased a tuna for 333.6 million yen (2.1 million dollars).
Despite once remarking that he thought he "overdid it," he has now proceeded to break his own record once again.
An Annual Spectacle of High Prices
The opening auction at the Toyosu fish market is notoriously associated with sky-high prices. The previous year, the initial tuna was acquired for 207 million yen by a separate sushi chain operator, which announced the fish would be featured at its eateries nationwide.
The high-energy atmosphere at the fish market during these pre-dawn auctions has evolved into a popular spectacle in Tokyo. Monday's auction, which commenced around 05:00 local time, was equally bustling.
Swift Service
The extremely valuable tuna was quickly prepared for patrons at the winner's sushi restaurants shortly after the auction was finished.
"I believe like I've commenced the year in a good way after consuming something so auspicious as the year starts," said one happy diner.
