🔗 Share this article Bluefin Tuna Commands Record Sum of 3.2 million dollars at Tokyo New Year Sale The winning bidder is a regular presence at the annual sale. A bulky Pacific bluefin tuna created waves at the Tokyo's Toyosu fish market this Monday, securing a record-breaking bid of 510.3 million yen (3.2 million US dollars; £2.4m) during the venue's opening auction of the calendar year. The top bid for the 243-kilogram fish came from the company of a nationwide sushi restaurant group, which operates outlets throughout Japan and abroad. "The first tuna signals good luck," commented the entrepreneur, a regular participant at the annual January sale. Dubbed the Tuna King, this businessman is famous for making substantial bids for bluefin tuna at these symbolic new year auctions. Auction Surprise and Historic Past After the auction, the successful bidder informed reporters that he was "astonished at the winning bid," adding, "I believed we would be able to purchase it a little for less, but the price skyrocketed rapidly." This latest acquisition surpasses his own record purchases: He paid 56.5 million yen away in 2012. He paid 155 million yen in 2013. In 2019, he acquired a tuna for 333.6 million yen ($2.1m). Despite once commenting that he thought he "bid too high," he has now gone on to break his personal record another time. A Tradition of High Prices The first auction at the Tokyo fish market is notoriously known for exorbitant prices. The previous year, the first tuna was acquired for 207 million yen by a separate food company, which indicated the fish would be served at its eateries throughout the country. The intense activity at the fish market during these early morning auctions has evolved into a popular event in Tokyo. Monday's auction, which commenced around 05:00 local time, was no different. Swift Service The record-priced tuna was shortly thereafter processed for patrons at the winner's sushi chains shortly after the auction was finished. "I believe like I've commenced the year in a good way after eating something so auspicious as the year begins," remarked one satisfied patron.
The winning bidder is a regular presence at the annual sale. A bulky Pacific bluefin tuna created waves at the Tokyo's Toyosu fish market this Monday, securing a record-breaking bid of 510.3 million yen (3.2 million US dollars; £2.4m) during the venue's opening auction of the calendar year. The top bid for the 243-kilogram fish came from the company of a nationwide sushi restaurant group, which operates outlets throughout Japan and abroad. "The first tuna signals good luck," commented the entrepreneur, a regular participant at the annual January sale. Dubbed the Tuna King, this businessman is famous for making substantial bids for bluefin tuna at these symbolic new year auctions. Auction Surprise and Historic Past After the auction, the successful bidder informed reporters that he was "astonished at the winning bid," adding, "I believed we would be able to purchase it a little for less, but the price skyrocketed rapidly." This latest acquisition surpasses his own record purchases: He paid 56.5 million yen away in 2012. He paid 155 million yen in 2013. In 2019, he acquired a tuna for 333.6 million yen ($2.1m). Despite once commenting that he thought he "bid too high," he has now gone on to break his personal record another time. A Tradition of High Prices The first auction at the Tokyo fish market is notoriously known for exorbitant prices. The previous year, the first tuna was acquired for 207 million yen by a separate food company, which indicated the fish would be served at its eateries throughout the country. The intense activity at the fish market during these early morning auctions has evolved into a popular event in Tokyo. Monday's auction, which commenced around 05:00 local time, was no different. Swift Service The record-priced tuna was shortly thereafter processed for patrons at the winner's sushi chains shortly after the auction was finished. "I believe like I've commenced the year in a good way after eating something so auspicious as the year begins," remarked one satisfied patron.