🔗 Share this article Pacific Bluefin Fish Commands Unprecedented Price of $3.2m at Tokyo New Year Sale The 'Tuna King' is a regular presence at the yearly event. A substantial bluefin tuna created waves at the Toyosu fish market this Monday, securing a record-breaking bid of 510.3 million yen (3.2 million US dollars; £2.4m) during the market's first auction of the year. The winning offer for the 243-kilogram fish was placed by the operator of a popular sushi restaurant group, which runs locations throughout Japan and internationally. "The first tuna brings good luck," commented the entrepreneur, a familiar bidder at the annual first sale. Known as the Tuna Tycoon, this industry figure is renowned for placing substantial bids for bluefin tuna at these symbolic new year auctions. Bidding Surprise and Record-Setting Past After the auction, the winner told reporters that he was "astonished at the amount," stating, "I expected we would be able to purchase it a little for less, but the price escalated in no time." This most recent purchase surpasses his own notable purchases: He secured a tuna for 56.5 million yen away in 2012. He paid 155 million yen in 2013. In 2019, he acquired a tuna for 333.6 million yen ($2.1m). Despite once saying that he thought he "bid too high," he has now proceeded to surpass his personal record yet again. A Tradition of High Prices The first auction at the Tokyo fish market is notoriously characterized by exceptionally high prices. In the prior year, the initial tuna was acquired for 207 million yen by a separate food company, which stated the fish would be featured at its locations across Japan. The high-energy activity at the fish market during these early morning auctions has evolved into a popular spectacle in Tokyo. Monday's auction, which started around 05:00 local time, was no different. Immediate Consumption The record-priced tuna was promptly sliced up for patrons at the winner's sushi chains soon after the auction concluded. "I feel like I've started the year in a positive way after consuming something so fortune-bringing as the year gets underway," remarked one satisfied diner.
The 'Tuna King' is a regular presence at the yearly event. A substantial bluefin tuna created waves at the Toyosu fish market this Monday, securing a record-breaking bid of 510.3 million yen (3.2 million US dollars; £2.4m) during the market's first auction of the year. The winning offer for the 243-kilogram fish was placed by the operator of a popular sushi restaurant group, which runs locations throughout Japan and internationally. "The first tuna brings good luck," commented the entrepreneur, a familiar bidder at the annual first sale. Known as the Tuna Tycoon, this industry figure is renowned for placing substantial bids for bluefin tuna at these symbolic new year auctions. Bidding Surprise and Record-Setting Past After the auction, the winner told reporters that he was "astonished at the amount," stating, "I expected we would be able to purchase it a little for less, but the price escalated in no time." This most recent purchase surpasses his own notable purchases: He secured a tuna for 56.5 million yen away in 2012. He paid 155 million yen in 2013. In 2019, he acquired a tuna for 333.6 million yen ($2.1m). Despite once saying that he thought he "bid too high," he has now proceeded to surpass his personal record yet again. A Tradition of High Prices The first auction at the Tokyo fish market is notoriously characterized by exceptionally high prices. In the prior year, the initial tuna was acquired for 207 million yen by a separate food company, which stated the fish would be featured at its locations across Japan. The high-energy activity at the fish market during these early morning auctions has evolved into a popular spectacle in Tokyo. Monday's auction, which started around 05:00 local time, was no different. Immediate Consumption The record-priced tuna was promptly sliced up for patrons at the winner's sushi chains soon after the auction concluded. "I feel like I've started the year in a positive way after consuming something so fortune-bringing as the year gets underway," remarked one satisfied diner.