🔗 Share this article Pacific Bluefin Tuna Commands Historic Bid of $3.2 million at Japanese Capital Auction A familiar auction figure is a well-known face at the yearly bidding war. A bulky Pacific bluefin tuna caused a stir at the Tokyo's Toyosu fish market this Monday, achieving a historic bid of 510.3 million yen (3.2 million US dollars; £2.4m) during the market's inaugural auction of the calendar year. The winning offer for the 243kg fish was placed by the operator of a well-known sushi chain, which runs restaurants domestically and internationally. "The year's tuna brings fortune," commented the company president, a familiar participant at the annual new year's auction. Dubbed the Tuna King, this businessman is famous for submitting substantial bids for bluefin tuna at these symbolic year-opening auctions. Auction Shock and Historic Precedent Following the auction, the winner informed reporters that he was "taken aback at the amount," adding, "I had thought we would be able to purchase it a little at a lower price, but the price escalated before you knew it." This most recent acquisition surpasses his own historic purchases: He bid 56.5 million yen away in 2012. He spent 155 million yen a year later. In 2019, he acquired a tuna for 333.6 million yen ($2.1 million). Despite once saying that he thought he "overdid it," he has now proceeded to break his personal record yet again. A Tradition of High Prices The first auction at the Tokyo fish market is typically known for sky-high prices. The previous year, the first tuna was acquired for 207 million yen by a different sushi chain operator, which indicated the fish would be featured at its restaurants across Japan. The intense activity at the fish market during these early morning auctions has evolved into a major event in Tokyo. Monday's auction, which began around 05:00 local time, was no exception. Swift Service The multi-million-dollar tuna was promptly prepared for patrons at the bidder's sushi chains immediately after the auction was finished. "I feel like I've commenced the year in a positive way after tasting something so auspicious as the year begins," said one happy customer.
A familiar auction figure is a well-known face at the yearly bidding war. A bulky Pacific bluefin tuna caused a stir at the Tokyo's Toyosu fish market this Monday, achieving a historic bid of 510.3 million yen (3.2 million US dollars; £2.4m) during the market's inaugural auction of the calendar year. The winning offer for the 243kg fish was placed by the operator of a well-known sushi chain, which runs restaurants domestically and internationally. "The year's tuna brings fortune," commented the company president, a familiar participant at the annual new year's auction. Dubbed the Tuna King, this businessman is famous for submitting substantial bids for bluefin tuna at these symbolic year-opening auctions. Auction Shock and Historic Precedent Following the auction, the winner informed reporters that he was "taken aback at the amount," adding, "I had thought we would be able to purchase it a little at a lower price, but the price escalated before you knew it." This most recent acquisition surpasses his own historic purchases: He bid 56.5 million yen away in 2012. He spent 155 million yen a year later. In 2019, he acquired a tuna for 333.6 million yen ($2.1 million). Despite once saying that he thought he "overdid it," he has now proceeded to break his personal record yet again. A Tradition of High Prices The first auction at the Tokyo fish market is typically known for sky-high prices. The previous year, the first tuna was acquired for 207 million yen by a different sushi chain operator, which indicated the fish would be featured at its restaurants across Japan. The intense activity at the fish market during these early morning auctions has evolved into a major event in Tokyo. Monday's auction, which began around 05:00 local time, was no exception. Swift Service The multi-million-dollar tuna was promptly prepared for patrons at the bidder's sushi chains immediately after the auction was finished. "I feel like I've commenced the year in a positive way after tasting something so auspicious as the year begins," said one happy customer.