🔗 Share this article Pacific Bluefin Fish Sells for Historic Sum of 3.2 million dollars at Tokyo New Year Sale The 'Tuna King' is a prominent face at the annual bidding war. A substantial Pacific bluefin tuna created waves at the Toyosu fish market this Monday, achieving a unprecedented bid of 510.3 million yen ($3.2m; £2.4m) during the venue's inaugural auction of the year. The successful bid for the 243-kilogram fish came from the parent firm of a nationwide sushi restaurant group, which manages locations domestically and internationally. "An inaugural tuna heralds a prosperous start," commented the business owner, a notable bidder at the annual January sale. Referred to as the Tuna King, this businessman is renowned for making substantial bids for premium bluefin tuna at these high-profile January auctions. Auction Surprise and Historic Past Following the auction, the winner told journalists that he was "taken aback at the winning bid," adding, "I had thought we would be able to buy it a little for less, but the price escalated before you knew it." This latest purchase surpasses his previous record purchases: He paid 56.5 million yen away in 2012. He bid 155 million yen in 2013. In 2019, he purchased a tuna for 333.6 million yen ($2.1m). Despite once remarking that he thought he "bid too high," he has now gone on to break his own record another time. A Tradition of High Prices The first auction at the Toyosu fish market is traditionally characterized by exceptionally high prices. The previous year, the first tuna was acquired for 207 million yen by a separate sushi chain operator, which stated the fish would be served at its locations throughout the country. The intense activity at the fish market during these early morning auctions has become a must-see tourist attraction in Tokyo. Monday's auction, which commenced around 05:00 local time, was equally bustling. Swift Service The record-priced tuna was shortly thereafter processed for patrons at the winner's sushi chains immediately after the auction ended. "I feel like I've begun the year in a positive way after eating something so fortune-bringing as the year begins," said one satisfied customer.
The 'Tuna King' is a prominent face at the annual bidding war. A substantial Pacific bluefin tuna created waves at the Toyosu fish market this Monday, achieving a unprecedented bid of 510.3 million yen ($3.2m; £2.4m) during the venue's inaugural auction of the year. The successful bid for the 243-kilogram fish came from the parent firm of a nationwide sushi restaurant group, which manages locations domestically and internationally. "An inaugural tuna heralds a prosperous start," commented the business owner, a notable bidder at the annual January sale. Referred to as the Tuna King, this businessman is renowned for making substantial bids for premium bluefin tuna at these high-profile January auctions. Auction Surprise and Historic Past Following the auction, the winner told journalists that he was "taken aback at the winning bid," adding, "I had thought we would be able to buy it a little for less, but the price escalated before you knew it." This latest purchase surpasses his previous record purchases: He paid 56.5 million yen away in 2012. He bid 155 million yen in 2013. In 2019, he purchased a tuna for 333.6 million yen ($2.1m). Despite once remarking that he thought he "bid too high," he has now gone on to break his own record another time. A Tradition of High Prices The first auction at the Toyosu fish market is traditionally characterized by exceptionally high prices. The previous year, the first tuna was acquired for 207 million yen by a separate sushi chain operator, which stated the fish would be served at its locations throughout the country. The intense activity at the fish market during these early morning auctions has become a must-see tourist attraction in Tokyo. Monday's auction, which commenced around 05:00 local time, was equally bustling. Swift Service The record-priced tuna was shortly thereafter processed for patrons at the winner's sushi chains immediately after the auction ended. "I feel like I've begun the year in a positive way after eating something so fortune-bringing as the year begins," said one satisfied customer.