🔗 Share this article Bluefin Fish Sells for Record Bid of $3.2 million at Tokyo Auction The 'Tuna King' is a well-known participant at the annual event. A massive Pacific bluefin tuna created waves at the Tokyo's Toyosu fish market this Monday, securing 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 243kg fish was submitted by the parent firm of a nationwide sushi chain, which manages outlets throughout Japan and overseas. "The first tuna brings good luck," stated the entrepreneur, a familiar bidder at the yearly new year's auction. Known as the Tuna Tycoon, this entrepreneur is famous for making record bids for bluefin tuna at these auspicious new year auctions. Bidding Surprise and Historic Past After the auction, the winner admitted to the press that he was "taken aback at the final price," noting, "I had thought we would be able to acquire it a little at a lower price, but the price skyrocketed in no time." This latest acquisition exceeds his own notable purchases: He secured a tuna for 56.5 million yen away in 2012. He bid 155 million yen the following year. In 2019, he purchased a tuna for 333.6 million yen ($2.1 million). Even after previously saying that he thought he "did too much," he has now managed to shatter his own record once again. An Annual Spectacle of High Prices The opening auction at the Tokyo fish market is notoriously known for exceptionally high prices. Last year, the first tuna was purchased for 207 million yen by a different food company, which announced the fish would be served at its restaurants across Japan. The intense energy 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 exception. Swift Service The record-priced tuna was promptly processed for customers at the entrepreneur's sushi establishments immediately after the auction ended. "I feel like I've started the year in a auspicious way after consuming something so fortune-bringing as the year begins," shared one elated customer.
The 'Tuna King' is a well-known participant at the annual event. A massive Pacific bluefin tuna created waves at the Tokyo's Toyosu fish market this Monday, securing 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 243kg fish was submitted by the parent firm of a nationwide sushi chain, which manages outlets throughout Japan and overseas. "The first tuna brings good luck," stated the entrepreneur, a familiar bidder at the yearly new year's auction. Known as the Tuna Tycoon, this entrepreneur is famous for making record bids for bluefin tuna at these auspicious new year auctions. Bidding Surprise and Historic Past After the auction, the winner admitted to the press that he was "taken aback at the final price," noting, "I had thought we would be able to acquire it a little at a lower price, but the price skyrocketed in no time." This latest acquisition exceeds his own notable purchases: He secured a tuna for 56.5 million yen away in 2012. He bid 155 million yen the following year. In 2019, he purchased a tuna for 333.6 million yen ($2.1 million). Even after previously saying that he thought he "did too much," he has now managed to shatter his own record once again. An Annual Spectacle of High Prices The opening auction at the Tokyo fish market is notoriously known for exceptionally high prices. Last year, the first tuna was purchased for 207 million yen by a different food company, which announced the fish would be served at its restaurants across Japan. The intense energy 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 exception. Swift Service The record-priced tuna was promptly processed for customers at the entrepreneur's sushi establishments immediately after the auction ended. "I feel like I've started the year in a auspicious way after consuming something so fortune-bringing as the year begins," shared one elated customer.