🔗 Share this article Bluefin Tuna Sells for Unprecedented Price of $3.2 million at Japanese Capital Auction A familiar auction figure is a prominent participant at the yearly event. A substantial Pacific bluefin tuna made headlines at the Tokyo's Toyosu fish market this Monday, securing a historic bid of 510.3 million yen ($3.2 million; £2.4m) during the market's inaugural auction of the new year. The successful offer for the 243-kilogram fish was submitted by the parent firm of a well-known sushi chain, which operates restaurants domestically and overseas. "The year's tuna signals a prosperous start," commented the entrepreneur, a regular bidder at the traditional January sale. Referred to as the King of Tuna, this businessman is noted for placing substantial bids for bluefin tuna at these symbolic year-opening auctions. Auction Surprise and Historic Past Following the auction, the successful bidder told reporters that he was "surprised at the winning bid," stating, "I had thought we would be able to buy it a little cheaper, but the price escalated before you knew it." This new acquisition exceeds his own historic purchases: He secured a tuna for 56.5 million yen away in 2012. He bid 155 million yen a year later. In 2019, he purchased a tuna for 333.6 million yen (2.1 million dollars). Even after previously commenting that he thought he "did too much," he has now managed to surpass his personal record yet again. A Tradition of Exorbitant Bids The first auction at the Toyosu fish market is typically known for sky-high prices. The previous year, the first tuna was acquired for 207 million yen by a different culinary group, which announced the fish would be served at its locations throughout the country. The high-energy activity at the fish market during these early morning auctions has become a must-see event in Tokyo. Monday's auction, which started around 05:00 local time, was no different. Swift Service The extremely valuable tuna was quickly prepared for diners at the winner's sushi restaurants shortly after the auction was finished. "I believe like I've started the year in a good way after tasting something so fortune-bringing as the year begins," said one satisfied patron.
A familiar auction figure is a prominent participant at the yearly event. A substantial Pacific bluefin tuna made headlines at the Tokyo's Toyosu fish market this Monday, securing a historic bid of 510.3 million yen ($3.2 million; £2.4m) during the market's inaugural auction of the new year. The successful offer for the 243-kilogram fish was submitted by the parent firm of a well-known sushi chain, which operates restaurants domestically and overseas. "The year's tuna signals a prosperous start," commented the entrepreneur, a regular bidder at the traditional January sale. Referred to as the King of Tuna, this businessman is noted for placing substantial bids for bluefin tuna at these symbolic year-opening auctions. Auction Surprise and Historic Past Following the auction, the successful bidder told reporters that he was "surprised at the winning bid," stating, "I had thought we would be able to buy it a little cheaper, but the price escalated before you knew it." This new acquisition exceeds his own historic purchases: He secured a tuna for 56.5 million yen away in 2012. He bid 155 million yen a year later. In 2019, he purchased a tuna for 333.6 million yen (2.1 million dollars). Even after previously commenting that he thought he "did too much," he has now managed to surpass his personal record yet again. A Tradition of Exorbitant Bids The first auction at the Toyosu fish market is typically known for sky-high prices. The previous year, the first tuna was acquired for 207 million yen by a different culinary group, which announced the fish would be served at its locations throughout the country. The high-energy activity at the fish market during these early morning auctions has become a must-see event in Tokyo. Monday's auction, which started around 05:00 local time, was no different. Swift Service The extremely valuable tuna was quickly prepared for diners at the winner's sushi restaurants shortly after the auction was finished. "I believe like I've started the year in a good way after tasting something so fortune-bringing as the year begins," said one satisfied patron.