🔗 Share this article Pacific Bluefin Tuna Fetches Historic Sum of 3.2 million dollars at Japanese Capital New Year Sale The winning bidder is a prominent participant at the annual bidding war. A massive bluefin tuna caused a stir at the Toyosu fish market this Monday, achieving a unprecedented 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 bid for the 243-kilogram fish was placed by the company of a popular sushi restaurant group, which manages restaurants throughout Japan and abroad. "The year's tuna signals a prosperous start," commented the company president, a regular figure at the traditional January sale. Referred to as the Tuna Tycoon, this industry figure is renowned for making record bids for bluefin tuna at these high-profile year-opening auctions. Bidding Surprise and Historic Precedent Following the auction, the winner told journalists that he was "surprised at the amount," adding, "I expected we would be able to acquire it a little at a lower price, but the price escalated before you knew it." This latest purchase surpasses his previous notable purchases: He paid 56.5 million yen back in 2012. He spent 155 million yen in 2013. In 2019, he purchased a tuna for 333.6 million yen ($2.1 million). Even after previously commenting that he thought he "overdid it," he has now managed to break his own record once again. A Tradition of Exorbitant Bids The opening auction at the Toyosu fish market is typically associated with exceptionally high prices. In the prior year, the initial tuna was bought for 207 million yen by a separate food company, which announced the fish would be available at its eateries throughout the country. The high-energy energy at the fish market during these pre-dawn auctions has evolved into a must-see tourist attraction in Tokyo. Monday's auction, which commenced around 05:00 local time, was equally bustling. Immediate Consumption The multi-million-dollar tuna was shortly thereafter sliced up for customers at the bidder's sushi chains soon after the auction was finished. "I feel like I've started the year in a auspicious way after consuming something so fortune-bringing as the year gets underway," shared one happy customer.
The winning bidder is a prominent participant at the annual bidding war. A massive bluefin tuna caused a stir at the Toyosu fish market this Monday, achieving a unprecedented 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 bid for the 243-kilogram fish was placed by the company of a popular sushi restaurant group, which manages restaurants throughout Japan and abroad. "The year's tuna signals a prosperous start," commented the company president, a regular figure at the traditional January sale. Referred to as the Tuna Tycoon, this industry figure is renowned for making record bids for bluefin tuna at these high-profile year-opening auctions. Bidding Surprise and Historic Precedent Following the auction, the winner told journalists that he was "surprised at the amount," adding, "I expected we would be able to acquire it a little at a lower price, but the price escalated before you knew it." This latest purchase surpasses his previous notable purchases: He paid 56.5 million yen back in 2012. He spent 155 million yen in 2013. In 2019, he purchased a tuna for 333.6 million yen ($2.1 million). Even after previously commenting that he thought he "overdid it," he has now managed to break his own record once again. A Tradition of Exorbitant Bids The opening auction at the Toyosu fish market is typically associated with exceptionally high prices. In the prior year, the initial tuna was bought for 207 million yen by a separate food company, which announced the fish would be available at its eateries throughout the country. The high-energy energy at the fish market during these pre-dawn auctions has evolved into a must-see tourist attraction in Tokyo. Monday's auction, which commenced around 05:00 local time, was equally bustling. Immediate Consumption The multi-million-dollar tuna was shortly thereafter sliced up for customers at the bidder's sushi chains soon after the auction was finished. "I feel like I've started the year in a auspicious way after consuming something so fortune-bringing as the year gets underway," shared one happy customer.