🔗 Share this article Pacific Bluefin Tuna Sells for Historic Sum of $3.2 million at Tokyo New Year Sale The winning bidder is a prominent participant at the annual event. A massive bluefin tuna made headlines at the Toyosu fish market this Monday, securing a unprecedented bid of 510.3 million yen ($3.2m; £2.4m) during the market's opening auction of the year. The successful bid for the 243-kilogram fish was submitted by the company of a nationwide sushi restaurant group, which manages locations domestically and abroad. "The year's tuna brings a prosperous start," remarked the entrepreneur, a regular participant at the annual January sale. Known as the Tuna King, this industry figure is noted for making substantial bids for bluefin tuna at these high-profile January auctions. Bidding Shock and Record-Setting Past After the auction, the winner told reporters that he was "taken aback at the winning bid," stating, "I had thought we would be able to acquire it a little for less, but the price skyrocketed rapidly." This latest purchase exceeds his previous record purchases: He paid 56.5 million yen away in 2012. He spent 155 million yen in 2013. In 2019, he purchased a tuna for 333.6 million yen (2.1 million dollars). Even after previously commenting that he thought he "bid too high," he has now managed to break his personal record yet again. A Tradition of Exorbitant Bids The first auction at the Tokyo fish market is traditionally characterized by exorbitant prices. The previous year, the first tuna was bought for 207 million yen by a separate sushi chain operator, which stated the fish would be available at its locations throughout the country. The intense activity at the fish market during these early morning auctions has evolved into a must-see tourist attraction in Tokyo. Monday's auction, which started around 05:00 local time, was no exception. From Auction to Plate The extremely valuable tuna was shortly thereafter prepared for patrons at the entrepreneur's sushi restaurants immediately after the auction concluded. "I feel like I've started the year in a auspicious way after tasting something so lucky as the year begins," shared one elated patron.
The winning bidder is a prominent participant at the annual event. A massive bluefin tuna made headlines at the Toyosu fish market this Monday, securing a unprecedented bid of 510.3 million yen ($3.2m; £2.4m) during the market's opening auction of the year. The successful bid for the 243-kilogram fish was submitted by the company of a nationwide sushi restaurant group, which manages locations domestically and abroad. "The year's tuna brings a prosperous start," remarked the entrepreneur, a regular participant at the annual January sale. Known as the Tuna King, this industry figure is noted for making substantial bids for bluefin tuna at these high-profile January auctions. Bidding Shock and Record-Setting Past After the auction, the winner told reporters that he was "taken aback at the winning bid," stating, "I had thought we would be able to acquire it a little for less, but the price skyrocketed rapidly." This latest purchase exceeds his previous record purchases: He paid 56.5 million yen away in 2012. He spent 155 million yen in 2013. In 2019, he purchased a tuna for 333.6 million yen (2.1 million dollars). Even after previously commenting that he thought he "bid too high," he has now managed to break his personal record yet again. A Tradition of Exorbitant Bids The first auction at the Tokyo fish market is traditionally characterized by exorbitant prices. The previous year, the first tuna was bought for 207 million yen by a separate sushi chain operator, which stated the fish would be available at its locations throughout the country. The intense activity at the fish market during these early morning auctions has evolved into a must-see tourist attraction in Tokyo. Monday's auction, which started around 05:00 local time, was no exception. From Auction to Plate The extremely valuable tuna was shortly thereafter prepared for patrons at the entrepreneur's sushi restaurants immediately after the auction concluded. "I feel like I've started the year in a auspicious way after tasting something so lucky as the year begins," shared one elated patron.