🔗 Share this article Pacific Bluefin Fish Fetches Unprecedented Price of 3.2 million dollars at Tokyo New Year Sale The 'Tuna King' is a well-known face at the annual event. A massive bluefin tuna caused a stir at the Toyosu fish market this Monday, achieving a record-breaking bid of 510.3 million yen ($3.2 million; £2.4m) during the market's inaugural auction of the new year. The top bid for the 243kg fish was submitted by the operator of a well-known sushi restaurant group, which runs locations across the country and overseas. "The year's tuna signals fortune," remarked the business owner, a regular figure at the traditional new year's auction. Referred to as the King of Tuna, this industry figure is renowned for submitting high bids for premium bluefin tuna at these auspicious new year auctions. Auction Surprise and Historic Precedent After the auction, the successful bidder told reporters that he was "taken aback at the final price," noting, "I had thought we would be able to purchase it a little for less, but the price soared before you knew it." This latest acquisition surpasses his own historic purchases: He bid 56.5 million yen back in 2012. He bid 155 million yen in 2013. In 2019, he acquired a tuna for 333.6 million yen ($2.1 million). Despite once saying that he thought he "bid too high," he has now managed to shatter his own record another time. A Tradition of High Prices The inaugural auction at the Toyosu fish market is notoriously characterized by exorbitant prices. The previous year, the initial tuna was bought for 207 million yen by another food company, which stated the fish would be available at its eateries throughout the country. The frenetic energy at the fish market during these early morning auctions has become a major spectacle in Tokyo. Monday's auction, which started around 05:00 local time, was equally bustling. Swift Service The record-priced tuna was promptly prepared for patrons at the entrepreneur's sushi restaurants shortly after the auction was finished. "I feel like I've begun the year in a auspicious way after consuming something so auspicious as the year begins," said one happy customer.
The 'Tuna King' is a well-known face at the annual event. A massive bluefin tuna caused a stir at the Toyosu fish market this Monday, achieving a record-breaking bid of 510.3 million yen ($3.2 million; £2.4m) during the market's inaugural auction of the new year. The top bid for the 243kg fish was submitted by the operator of a well-known sushi restaurant group, which runs locations across the country and overseas. "The year's tuna signals fortune," remarked the business owner, a regular figure at the traditional new year's auction. Referred to as the King of Tuna, this industry figure is renowned for submitting high bids for premium bluefin tuna at these auspicious new year auctions. Auction Surprise and Historic Precedent After the auction, the successful bidder told reporters that he was "taken aback at the final price," noting, "I had thought we would be able to purchase it a little for less, but the price soared before you knew it." This latest acquisition surpasses his own historic purchases: He bid 56.5 million yen back in 2012. He bid 155 million yen in 2013. In 2019, he acquired a tuna for 333.6 million yen ($2.1 million). Despite once saying that he thought he "bid too high," he has now managed to shatter his own record another time. A Tradition of High Prices The inaugural auction at the Toyosu fish market is notoriously characterized by exorbitant prices. The previous year, the initial tuna was bought for 207 million yen by another food company, which stated the fish would be available at its eateries throughout the country. The frenetic energy at the fish market during these early morning auctions has become a major spectacle in Tokyo. Monday's auction, which started around 05:00 local time, was equally bustling. Swift Service The record-priced tuna was promptly prepared for patrons at the entrepreneur's sushi restaurants shortly after the auction was finished. "I feel like I've begun the year in a auspicious way after consuming something so auspicious as the year begins," said one happy customer.