🔗 Share this article Pacific Bluefin Tuna Fetches Unprecedented Sum of 3.2 million dollars at Tokyo Auction A familiar auction figure is a prominent presence at the traditional bidding war. A bulky Pacific bluefin tuna caused a stir at the Toyosu fish market this Monday, securing a historic bid of 510.3 million yen (3.2 million US dollars; £2.4m) during the venue's opening auction of the year. The winning offer for the 535-pound fish was submitted by the parent firm of a well-known sushi chain, which manages outlets across the country and internationally. "The first tuna brings good luck," commented the entrepreneur, a familiar bidder at the annual January sale. Referred to as the King of Tuna, this businessman is famous for making high bids for premium bluefin tuna at these auspicious new year auctions. Auction Shock and Record-Setting Past Following the auction, the successful bidder informed journalists that he was "surprised at the amount," adding, "I believed we would be able to buy it a little for less, but the price escalated rapidly." This new purchase exceeds his previous record purchases: He paid 56.5 million yen away in 2012. He bid 155 million yen a year later. In 2019, he acquired a tuna for 333.6 million yen ($2.1 million). Despite previously commenting that he thought he "overdid it," he has now gone on to surpass his own record once again. A Tradition of High Prices The opening auction at the Toyosu fish market is typically associated with exorbitant prices. The previous year, the initial tuna was acquired for 207 million yen by a different culinary group, which announced the fish would be featured at its eateries across Japan. The intense energy at the fish market during these pre-dawn auctions has become a major event in Tokyo. Monday's auction, which began around 05:00 local time, was no different. Swift Service The extremely valuable tuna was shortly thereafter processed for customers at the bidder's sushi establishments soon after the auction was finished. "I believe like I've commenced the year in a auspicious way after consuming something so auspicious as the year begins," said one satisfied patron.
A familiar auction figure is a prominent presence at the traditional bidding war. A bulky Pacific bluefin tuna caused a stir at the Toyosu fish market this Monday, securing a historic bid of 510.3 million yen (3.2 million US dollars; £2.4m) during the venue's opening auction of the year. The winning offer for the 535-pound fish was submitted by the parent firm of a well-known sushi chain, which manages outlets across the country and internationally. "The first tuna brings good luck," commented the entrepreneur, a familiar bidder at the annual January sale. Referred to as the King of Tuna, this businessman is famous for making high bids for premium bluefin tuna at these auspicious new year auctions. Auction Shock and Record-Setting Past Following the auction, the successful bidder informed journalists that he was "surprised at the amount," adding, "I believed we would be able to buy it a little for less, but the price escalated rapidly." This new purchase exceeds his previous record purchases: He paid 56.5 million yen away in 2012. He bid 155 million yen a year later. In 2019, he acquired a tuna for 333.6 million yen ($2.1 million). Despite previously commenting that he thought he "overdid it," he has now gone on to surpass his own record once again. A Tradition of High Prices The opening auction at the Toyosu fish market is typically associated with exorbitant prices. The previous year, the initial tuna was acquired for 207 million yen by a different culinary group, which announced the fish would be featured at its eateries across Japan. The intense energy at the fish market during these pre-dawn auctions has become a major event in Tokyo. Monday's auction, which began around 05:00 local time, was no different. Swift Service The extremely valuable tuna was shortly thereafter processed for customers at the bidder's sushi establishments soon after the auction was finished. "I believe like I've commenced the year in a auspicious way after consuming something so auspicious as the year begins," said one satisfied patron.