🔗 Share this article Bluefin Fish Commands Record Price of 3.2 million dollars at Tokyo Auction The 'Tuna King' is a regular face at the traditional bidding war. A massive Pacific bluefin tuna created waves 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 venue's inaugural auction of the new year. The top bid for the 243kg fish came from the operator of a popular sushi chain, which runs locations throughout Japan and internationally. "An inaugural tuna heralds good luck," commented the company president, a familiar participant at the yearly first sale. Known as the Tuna Tycoon, this entrepreneur is noted for placing record bids for bluefin tuna at these high-profile January auctions. Auction Surprise and Record-Setting Precedent Following the auction, the winner told reporters that he was "astonished at the winning bid," noting, "I believed we would be able to acquire it a little cheaper, but the price skyrocketed before you knew it." This latest purchase surpasses his previous record purchases: He secured a tuna for 56.5 million yen away in 2012. He bid 155 million yen the following year. In 2019, he won a tuna for 333.6 million yen (2.1 million dollars). Even after once saying that he thought he "did too much," he has now gone on to shatter his personal record once again. A Tradition of High Prices The first auction at the Toyosu fish market is notoriously associated with exorbitant prices. In the prior year, the first tuna was acquired for 207 million yen by a different sushi chain operator, which announced the fish would be served at its eateries throughout the country. The frenetic atmosphere at the fish market during these pre-sunrise auctions has transformed into a must-see spectacle in Tokyo. Monday's auction, which began around 05:00 local time, was equally bustling. Swift Service The record-priced tuna was shortly thereafter prepared for patrons at the winner's sushi establishments soon after the auction ended. "I sense like I've begun the year in a good way after tasting something so fortune-bringing as the year gets underway," said one happy patron.
The 'Tuna King' is a regular face at the traditional bidding war. A massive Pacific bluefin tuna created waves 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 venue's inaugural auction of the new year. The top bid for the 243kg fish came from the operator of a popular sushi chain, which runs locations throughout Japan and internationally. "An inaugural tuna heralds good luck," commented the company president, a familiar participant at the yearly first sale. Known as the Tuna Tycoon, this entrepreneur is noted for placing record bids for bluefin tuna at these high-profile January auctions. Auction Surprise and Record-Setting Precedent Following the auction, the winner told reporters that he was "astonished at the winning bid," noting, "I believed we would be able to acquire it a little cheaper, but the price skyrocketed before you knew it." This latest purchase surpasses his previous record purchases: He secured a tuna for 56.5 million yen away in 2012. He bid 155 million yen the following year. In 2019, he won a tuna for 333.6 million yen (2.1 million dollars). Even after once saying that he thought he "did too much," he has now gone on to shatter his personal record once again. A Tradition of High Prices The first auction at the Toyosu fish market is notoriously associated with exorbitant prices. In the prior year, the first tuna was acquired for 207 million yen by a different sushi chain operator, which announced the fish would be served at its eateries throughout the country. The frenetic atmosphere at the fish market during these pre-sunrise auctions has transformed into a must-see spectacle in Tokyo. Monday's auction, which began around 05:00 local time, was equally bustling. Swift Service The record-priced tuna was shortly thereafter prepared for patrons at the winner's sushi establishments soon after the auction ended. "I sense like I've begun the year in a good way after tasting something so fortune-bringing as the year gets underway," said one happy patron.