🔗 Share this article Pacific Bluefin Fish Fetches Historic Price of 3.2 million dollars at Japanese Capital New Year Sale The 'Tuna King' is a regular presence at the annual bidding war. A substantial Pacific bluefin tuna created waves at the Tokyo's Toyosu fish market this Monday, achieving a historic bid of 510.3 million yen (3.2 million US dollars; £2.4m) during the venue's first auction of the calendar year. The top bid for the 243kg fish was submitted by the parent firm of a popular sushi chain, which runs locations across the country and abroad. "An inaugural tuna heralds good luck," stated the business owner, a notable bidder at the traditional first sale. Dubbed the Tuna Tycoon, this industry figure is renowned for making substantial bids for bluefin tuna at these symbolic January auctions. Bidding Shock and Historic Past Following the auction, the successful bidder told journalists that he was "surprised at the winning bid," adding, "I expected we would be able to purchase it a little cheaper, but the price escalated in no time." This latest purchase exceeds his own record purchases: He secured a tuna for 56.5 million yen away in 2012. He paid 155 million yen the following year. In 2019, he won a tuna for 333.6 million yen (2.1 million dollars). Despite previously commenting that he thought he "did too much," he has now managed to surpass his own record yet again. An Annual Spectacle of Exorbitant Bids The first auction at the Toyosu fish market is notoriously associated with exorbitant prices. In the prior year, the initial tuna was bought for 207 million yen by a different culinary group, which stated the fish would be featured at its restaurants nationwide. The intense atmosphere at the fish market during these early morning auctions has become a must-see event in Tokyo. Monday's auction, which began around 05:00 local time, was equally bustling. Swift Service The extremely valuable tuna was shortly thereafter prepared for patrons at the entrepreneur's sushi establishments soon after the auction was finished. "I feel like I've begun the year in a good way after eating something so auspicious as the year gets underway," shared one satisfied patron.
The 'Tuna King' is a regular presence at the annual bidding war. A substantial Pacific bluefin tuna created waves at the Tokyo's Toyosu fish market this Monday, achieving a historic bid of 510.3 million yen (3.2 million US dollars; £2.4m) during the venue's first auction of the calendar year. The top bid for the 243kg fish was submitted by the parent firm of a popular sushi chain, which runs locations across the country and abroad. "An inaugural tuna heralds good luck," stated the business owner, a notable bidder at the traditional first sale. Dubbed the Tuna Tycoon, this industry figure is renowned for making substantial bids for bluefin tuna at these symbolic January auctions. Bidding Shock and Historic Past Following the auction, the successful bidder told journalists that he was "surprised at the winning bid," adding, "I expected we would be able to purchase it a little cheaper, but the price escalated in no time." This latest purchase exceeds his own record purchases: He secured a tuna for 56.5 million yen away in 2012. He paid 155 million yen the following year. In 2019, he won a tuna for 333.6 million yen (2.1 million dollars). Despite previously commenting that he thought he "did too much," he has now managed to surpass his own record yet again. An Annual Spectacle of Exorbitant Bids The first auction at the Toyosu fish market is notoriously associated with exorbitant prices. In the prior year, the initial tuna was bought for 207 million yen by a different culinary group, which stated the fish would be featured at its restaurants nationwide. The intense atmosphere at the fish market during these early morning auctions has become a must-see event in Tokyo. Monday's auction, which began around 05:00 local time, was equally bustling. Swift Service The extremely valuable tuna was shortly thereafter prepared for patrons at the entrepreneur's sushi establishments soon after the auction was finished. "I feel like I've begun the year in a good way after eating something so auspicious as the year gets underway," shared one satisfied patron.