🔗 Share this article Bluefin Fish Fetches Historic Price of $3.2 million at Tokyo New Year Sale A familiar auction figure is a prominent participant at the traditional event. A massive Pacific bluefin tuna made headlines at the Toyosu fish market this Monday, achieving a record-breaking bid of 510.3 million yen ($3.2 million; £2.4m) during the venue's inaugural auction of the new year. The winning bid for the 243kg fish was submitted by the company of a nationwide sushi chain, which operates locations domestically and internationally. "An inaugural tuna signals fortune," remarked the business owner, a familiar bidder at the yearly first sale. Dubbed the Tuna Tycoon, this industry figure is noted for making high bids for bluefin tuna at these auspicious year-opening auctions. Bidding Surprise and Record-Setting Past After the auction, the winner informed journalists that he was "taken aback at the final price," stating, "I believed we would be able to acquire it a little at a lower price, but the price soared rapidly." This new acquisition surpasses his own notable purchases: He paid 56.5 million yen back in 2012. He paid 155 million yen a year later. In 2019, he acquired a tuna for 333.6 million yen ($2.1 million). Despite previously commenting that he thought he "bid too high," he has now proceeded to shatter his personal record yet again. A Tradition of Exorbitant Bids The inaugural auction at the Tokyo fish market is traditionally associated with sky-high prices. Last year, the initial tuna was bought for 207 million yen by a different culinary group, which indicated the fish would be featured at its locations across Japan. The high-energy atmosphere at the fish market during these early morning auctions has evolved into a major event in Tokyo. Monday's auction, which started around 05:00 local time, was no exception. Immediate Consumption The record-priced tuna was promptly prepared for customers at the entrepreneur's sushi restaurants shortly after the auction was finished. "I sense like I've begun the year in a auspicious way after consuming something so lucky as the year gets underway," remarked one elated customer.
A familiar auction figure is a prominent participant at the traditional event. A massive Pacific bluefin tuna made headlines at the Toyosu fish market this Monday, achieving a record-breaking bid of 510.3 million yen ($3.2 million; £2.4m) during the venue's inaugural auction of the new year. The winning bid for the 243kg fish was submitted by the company of a nationwide sushi chain, which operates locations domestically and internationally. "An inaugural tuna signals fortune," remarked the business owner, a familiar bidder at the yearly first sale. Dubbed the Tuna Tycoon, this industry figure is noted for making high bids for bluefin tuna at these auspicious year-opening auctions. Bidding Surprise and Record-Setting Past After the auction, the winner informed journalists that he was "taken aback at the final price," stating, "I believed we would be able to acquire it a little at a lower price, but the price soared rapidly." This new acquisition surpasses his own notable purchases: He paid 56.5 million yen back in 2012. He paid 155 million yen a year later. In 2019, he acquired a tuna for 333.6 million yen ($2.1 million). Despite previously commenting that he thought he "bid too high," he has now proceeded to shatter his personal record yet again. A Tradition of Exorbitant Bids The inaugural auction at the Tokyo fish market is traditionally associated with sky-high prices. Last year, the initial tuna was bought for 207 million yen by a different culinary group, which indicated the fish would be featured at its locations across Japan. The high-energy atmosphere at the fish market during these early morning auctions has evolved into a major event in Tokyo. Monday's auction, which started around 05:00 local time, was no exception. Immediate Consumption The record-priced tuna was promptly prepared for customers at the entrepreneur's sushi restaurants shortly after the auction was finished. "I sense like I've begun the year in a auspicious way after consuming something so lucky as the year gets underway," remarked one elated customer.