🔗 Share this article Pacific Bluefin Fish Fetches Historic Sum of $3.2m at Tokyo New Year Sale The winning bidder is a prominent face at the traditional bidding war. A substantial Pacific bluefin tuna caused a stir at the Toyosu fish market this Monday, achieving a unprecedented bid of 510.3 million yen (3.2 million US dollars; £2.4m) during the market's first auction of the new year. The top offer for the 243-kilogram fish was placed by the company of a popular sushi chain, which operates outlets domestically and internationally. "The year's tuna brings a prosperous start," remarked the entrepreneur, a regular participant at the traditional new year's auction. Known as the Tuna King, this businessman is famous for placing substantial bids for bluefin tuna at these symbolic year-opening auctions. Bidding Shock and Record-Setting Past After the auction, the successful bidder admitted to reporters that he was "astonished at the winning bid," stating, "I believed we would be able to purchase it a little at a lower price, but the price skyrocketed rapidly." This latest purchase surpasses his previous historic purchases: He paid 56.5 million yen away in 2012. He paid 155 million yen the following year. In 2019, he purchased a tuna for 333.6 million yen (2.1 million dollars). Despite once commenting that he thought he "bid too high," he has now proceeded to break his own record yet 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 stated the fish would be served at its locations throughout the country. The intense activity at the fish market during these pre-sunrise auctions has become a must-see event in Tokyo. Monday's auction, which began around 05:00 local time, was no different. From Auction to Plate The multi-million-dollar tuna was promptly processed for patrons at the entrepreneur's sushi restaurants shortly after the auction concluded. "I believe like I've started the year in a good way after consuming something so lucky as the year gets underway," shared one elated customer.
The winning bidder is a prominent face at the traditional bidding war. A substantial Pacific bluefin tuna caused a stir at the Toyosu fish market this Monday, achieving a unprecedented bid of 510.3 million yen (3.2 million US dollars; £2.4m) during the market's first auction of the new year. The top offer for the 243-kilogram fish was placed by the company of a popular sushi chain, which operates outlets domestically and internationally. "The year's tuna brings a prosperous start," remarked the entrepreneur, a regular participant at the traditional new year's auction. Known as the Tuna King, this businessman is famous for placing substantial bids for bluefin tuna at these symbolic year-opening auctions. Bidding Shock and Record-Setting Past After the auction, the successful bidder admitted to reporters that he was "astonished at the winning bid," stating, "I believed we would be able to purchase it a little at a lower price, but the price skyrocketed rapidly." This latest purchase surpasses his previous historic purchases: He paid 56.5 million yen away in 2012. He paid 155 million yen the following year. In 2019, he purchased a tuna for 333.6 million yen (2.1 million dollars). Despite once commenting that he thought he "bid too high," he has now proceeded to break his own record yet 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 stated the fish would be served at its locations throughout the country. The intense activity at the fish market during these pre-sunrise auctions has become a must-see event in Tokyo. Monday's auction, which began around 05:00 local time, was no different. From Auction to Plate The multi-million-dollar tuna was promptly processed for patrons at the entrepreneur's sushi restaurants shortly after the auction concluded. "I believe like I've started the year in a good way after consuming something so lucky as the year gets underway," shared one elated customer.