🔗 Share this article Bluefin Fish Fetches Record Sum of $3.2 million at Tokyo Auction A familiar auction figure is a prominent participant at the yearly bidding war. A substantial bluefin tuna created waves at the Toyosu fish market this Monday, securing a unprecedented bid of 510.3 million yen ($3.2 million; £2.4m) during the market's opening auction of the calendar year. The successful offer for the 243kg fish was placed by the parent firm of a popular sushi restaurant group, which runs restaurants across the country and internationally. "The first tuna signals a prosperous start," remarked the entrepreneur, a regular participant at the annual January sale. Dubbed the Tuna Tycoon, this entrepreneur is renowned for submitting record bids for premium bluefin tuna at these symbolic new year auctions. Bidding Shock and Record-Setting Precedent After the auction, the winner told the press that he was "astonished at the winning bid," noting, "I believed we would be able to buy it a little for less, but the price skyrocketed before you knew it." This latest purchase exceeds his own notable purchases: He paid 56.5 million yen back in 2012. He paid 155 million yen in 2013. In 2019, he won a tuna for 333.6 million yen ($2.1 million). Even after once saying that he thought he "bid too high," he has now managed to shatter his own record yet again. A Tradition of Exorbitant Bids The inaugural auction at the Tokyo fish market is traditionally known for sky-high prices. The previous year, the initial tuna was purchased for 207 million yen by a different sushi chain operator, which indicated the fish would be served at its locations throughout the country. The high-energy atmosphere at the fish market during these pre-sunrise auctions has evolved into a popular tourist attraction in Tokyo. Monday's auction, which commenced around 05:00 local time, was no different. Immediate Consumption The extremely valuable tuna was quickly prepared for customers at the bidder's sushi restaurants immediately after the auction ended. "I sense like I've begun the year in a auspicious way after eating something so lucky as the year begins," said one satisfied customer.
A familiar auction figure is a prominent participant at the yearly bidding war. A substantial bluefin tuna created waves at the Toyosu fish market this Monday, securing a unprecedented bid of 510.3 million yen ($3.2 million; £2.4m) during the market's opening auction of the calendar year. The successful offer for the 243kg fish was placed by the parent firm of a popular sushi restaurant group, which runs restaurants across the country and internationally. "The first tuna signals a prosperous start," remarked the entrepreneur, a regular participant at the annual January sale. Dubbed the Tuna Tycoon, this entrepreneur is renowned for submitting record bids for premium bluefin tuna at these symbolic new year auctions. Bidding Shock and Record-Setting Precedent After the auction, the winner told the press that he was "astonished at the winning bid," noting, "I believed we would be able to buy it a little for less, but the price skyrocketed before you knew it." This latest purchase exceeds his own notable purchases: He paid 56.5 million yen back in 2012. He paid 155 million yen in 2013. In 2019, he won a tuna for 333.6 million yen ($2.1 million). Even after once saying that he thought he "bid too high," he has now managed to shatter his own record yet again. A Tradition of Exorbitant Bids The inaugural auction at the Tokyo fish market is traditionally known for sky-high prices. The previous year, the initial tuna was purchased for 207 million yen by a different sushi chain operator, which indicated the fish would be served at its locations throughout the country. The high-energy atmosphere at the fish market during these pre-sunrise auctions has evolved into a popular tourist attraction in Tokyo. Monday's auction, which commenced around 05:00 local time, was no different. Immediate Consumption The extremely valuable tuna was quickly prepared for customers at the bidder's sushi restaurants immediately after the auction ended. "I sense like I've begun the year in a auspicious way after eating something so lucky as the year begins," said one satisfied customer.