🔗 Share this article Pacific Bluefin Fish Fetches Unprecedented Sum of $3.2 million at Tokyo Auction The 'Tuna King' is a regular participant at the traditional event. A massive Pacific bluefin tuna caused a stir 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 opening auction of the year. The top offer for the 243kg fish was submitted by the parent firm of a popular sushi restaurant group, which manages restaurants throughout Japan and abroad. "The year's tuna signals a prosperous start," remarked the entrepreneur, a regular bidder at the annual new year's auction. Known as the Tuna King, this industry figure is noted for making record bids for premium bluefin tuna at these auspicious January auctions. Bidding Surprise and Historic Past After the auction, the winner informed the press that he was "surprised at the amount," adding, "I expected we would be able to purchase it a little cheaper, but the price skyrocketed in no time." This most recent acquisition exceeds his own record purchases: He bid 56.5 million yen back in 2012. He paid 155 million yen in 2013. In 2019, he acquired a tuna for 333.6 million yen ($2.1m). Even after previously commenting that he thought he "overdid it," he has now proceeded to break his personal record yet again. A Tradition of Exorbitant Bids The first auction at the Toyosu fish market is traditionally known for exorbitant prices. The previous year, the first tuna was acquired for 207 million yen by another food company, which indicated the fish would be available at its eateries nationwide. The high-energy activity at the fish market during these early morning auctions has transformed into a major event in Tokyo. Monday's auction, which began around 05:00 local time, was no exception. From Auction to Plate The multi-million-dollar tuna was shortly thereafter prepared for customers at the winner's sushi restaurants shortly after the auction was finished. "I believe like I've begun the year in a positive way after tasting something so fortune-bringing as the year gets underway," said one satisfied diner.
The 'Tuna King' is a regular participant at the traditional event. A massive Pacific bluefin tuna caused a stir 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 opening auction of the year. The top offer for the 243kg fish was submitted by the parent firm of a popular sushi restaurant group, which manages restaurants throughout Japan and abroad. "The year's tuna signals a prosperous start," remarked the entrepreneur, a regular bidder at the annual new year's auction. Known as the Tuna King, this industry figure is noted for making record bids for premium bluefin tuna at these auspicious January auctions. Bidding Surprise and Historic Past After the auction, the winner informed the press that he was "surprised at the amount," adding, "I expected we would be able to purchase it a little cheaper, but the price skyrocketed in no time." This most recent acquisition exceeds his own record purchases: He bid 56.5 million yen back in 2012. He paid 155 million yen in 2013. In 2019, he acquired a tuna for 333.6 million yen ($2.1m). Even after previously commenting that he thought he "overdid it," he has now proceeded to break his personal record yet again. A Tradition of Exorbitant Bids The first auction at the Toyosu fish market is traditionally known for exorbitant prices. The previous year, the first tuna was acquired for 207 million yen by another food company, which indicated the fish would be available at its eateries nationwide. The high-energy activity at the fish market during these early morning auctions has transformed into a major event in Tokyo. Monday's auction, which began around 05:00 local time, was no exception. From Auction to Plate The multi-million-dollar tuna was shortly thereafter prepared for customers at the winner's sushi restaurants shortly after the auction was finished. "I believe like I've begun the year in a positive way after tasting something so fortune-bringing as the year gets underway," said one satisfied diner.