🔗 Share this article Pacific Bluefin Tuna Fetches Unprecedented Bid of $3.2m at Japanese Capital Auction A familiar auction figure is a prominent face at the annual bidding war. A massive bluefin tuna caused a stir at the Tokyo's Toyosu fish market this Monday, securing a historic bid of 510.3 million yen ($3.2m; £2.4m) during the venue's first auction of the calendar year. The top bid for the 243kg fish was submitted by the operator of a popular sushi chain, which runs restaurants domestically and abroad. "The first tuna brings fortune," remarked the entrepreneur, a notable bidder at the traditional January sale. Dubbed the Tuna King, this businessman is renowned for placing substantial bids for premium bluefin tuna at these symbolic year-opening auctions. Bidding Surprise and Historic Precedent After the auction, the winner admitted to reporters that he was "surprised at the winning bid," adding, "I had thought we would be able to buy it a little at a lower price, but the price soared rapidly." This new purchase exceeds his previous notable purchases: He paid 56.5 million yen back in 2012. He paid 155 million yen in 2013. In 2019, he won a tuna for 333.6 million yen (2.1 million dollars). Even after once remarking that he thought he "bid too high," he has now proceeded to shatter his own record once again. A Tradition of High Prices The opening auction at the Toyosu fish market is typically characterized by exorbitant prices. The previous year, the initial tuna was acquired for 207 million yen by a different culinary group, which indicated the fish would be available at its locations across Japan. The intense atmosphere at the fish market during these early morning auctions has transformed into a must-see spectacle in Tokyo. Monday's auction, which began around 05:00 local time, was equally bustling. Immediate Consumption The record-priced tuna was promptly processed for customers at the bidder's sushi restaurants immediately after the auction ended. "I believe like I've commenced the year in a positive way after tasting something so lucky as the year gets underway," shared one satisfied patron.
A familiar auction figure is a prominent face at the annual bidding war. A massive bluefin tuna caused a stir at the Tokyo's Toyosu fish market this Monday, securing a historic bid of 510.3 million yen ($3.2m; £2.4m) during the venue's first auction of the calendar year. The top bid for the 243kg fish was submitted by the operator of a popular sushi chain, which runs restaurants domestically and abroad. "The first tuna brings fortune," remarked the entrepreneur, a notable bidder at the traditional January sale. Dubbed the Tuna King, this businessman is renowned for placing substantial bids for premium bluefin tuna at these symbolic year-opening auctions. Bidding Surprise and Historic Precedent After the auction, the winner admitted to reporters that he was "surprised at the winning bid," adding, "I had thought we would be able to buy it a little at a lower price, but the price soared rapidly." This new purchase exceeds his previous notable purchases: He paid 56.5 million yen back in 2012. He paid 155 million yen in 2013. In 2019, he won a tuna for 333.6 million yen (2.1 million dollars). Even after once remarking that he thought he "bid too high," he has now proceeded to shatter his own record once again. A Tradition of High Prices The opening auction at the Toyosu fish market is typically characterized by exorbitant prices. The previous year, the initial tuna was acquired for 207 million yen by a different culinary group, which indicated the fish would be available at its locations across Japan. The intense atmosphere at the fish market during these early morning auctions has transformed into a must-see spectacle in Tokyo. Monday's auction, which began around 05:00 local time, was equally bustling. Immediate Consumption The record-priced tuna was promptly processed for customers at the bidder's sushi restaurants immediately after the auction ended. "I believe like I've commenced the year in a positive way after tasting something so lucky as the year gets underway," shared one satisfied patron.