🔗 Share this article Pacific Bluefin Fish Fetches Record Price of 3.2 million dollars at Tokyo Auction A familiar auction figure is a well-known face at the annual bidding war. A bulky bluefin tuna created waves at the Toyosu fish market this Monday, garnering a historic bid of 510.3 million yen (3.2 million US dollars; £2.4m) during the market's first auction of the calendar year. The top bid for the 535-pound fish was submitted by the operator of a well-known sushi restaurant group, which operates restaurants across the country and internationally. "An inaugural tuna signals a prosperous start," remarked the business owner, a regular bidder at the yearly January sale. Referred to as the Tuna King, this industry figure is renowned for making substantial bids for premium bluefin tuna at these symbolic new year auctions. Bidding Surprise and Record-Setting Precedent After the auction, the winner admitted to the press that he was "taken aback at the winning bid," noting, "I had thought we would be able to purchase it a little cheaper, but the price escalated rapidly." This new acquisition exceeds his own historic purchases: He bid 56.5 million yen away in 2012. He spent 155 million yen in 2013. In 2019, he purchased a tuna for 333.6 million yen ($2.1m). Even after previously remarking that he thought he "overdid it," he has now proceeded to shatter his personal record once again. A Tradition of High Prices The inaugural auction at the Toyosu fish market is typically characterized by exorbitant prices. In the prior year, the first tuna was purchased for 207 million yen by a separate sushi chain operator, which indicated the fish would be available at its eateries across Japan. The high-energy atmosphere at the fish market during these pre-dawn auctions has transformed into a must-see event in Tokyo. Monday's auction, which started around 05:00 local time, was no different. From Auction to Plate The multi-million-dollar tuna was shortly thereafter processed for customers at the winner's sushi establishments soon after the auction was finished. "I sense like I've started the year in a good way after eating something so auspicious as the year gets underway," said one happy patron.
A familiar auction figure is a well-known face at the annual bidding war. A bulky bluefin tuna created waves at the Toyosu fish market this Monday, garnering a historic bid of 510.3 million yen (3.2 million US dollars; £2.4m) during the market's first auction of the calendar year. The top bid for the 535-pound fish was submitted by the operator of a well-known sushi restaurant group, which operates restaurants across the country and internationally. "An inaugural tuna signals a prosperous start," remarked the business owner, a regular bidder at the yearly January sale. Referred to as the Tuna King, this industry figure is renowned for making substantial bids for premium bluefin tuna at these symbolic new year auctions. Bidding Surprise and Record-Setting Precedent After the auction, the winner admitted to the press that he was "taken aback at the winning bid," noting, "I had thought we would be able to purchase it a little cheaper, but the price escalated rapidly." This new acquisition exceeds his own historic purchases: He bid 56.5 million yen away in 2012. He spent 155 million yen in 2013. In 2019, he purchased a tuna for 333.6 million yen ($2.1m). Even after previously remarking that he thought he "overdid it," he has now proceeded to shatter his personal record once again. A Tradition of High Prices The inaugural auction at the Toyosu fish market is typically characterized by exorbitant prices. In the prior year, the first tuna was purchased for 207 million yen by a separate sushi chain operator, which indicated the fish would be available at its eateries across Japan. The high-energy atmosphere at the fish market during these pre-dawn auctions has transformed into a must-see event in Tokyo. Monday's auction, which started around 05:00 local time, was no different. From Auction to Plate The multi-million-dollar tuna was shortly thereafter processed for customers at the winner's sushi establishments soon after the auction was finished. "I sense like I've started the year in a good way after eating something so auspicious as the year gets underway," said one happy patron.