🔗 Share this article Pacific Bluefin Fish Fetches Record Sum of 3.2 million dollars at Tokyo New Year Sale A familiar auction figure is a prominent participant at the yearly sale. A bulky bluefin tuna created waves at the Toyosu fish market this Monday, garnering a unprecedented bid of 510.3 million yen ($3.2m; £2.4m) during the market's opening auction of the new year. The top bid for the 535-pound fish was placed by the operator of a popular sushi chain, which manages restaurants domestically and abroad. "The year's tuna heralds fortune," remarked the business owner, a regular participant at the yearly new year's auction. Known as the Tuna Tycoon, this entrepreneur is noted for making high bids for bluefin tuna at these high-profile January auctions. Auction Shock and Record-Setting Precedent After the auction, the winner admitted to journalists that he was "astonished at the final price," adding, "I expected we would be able to buy it a little for less, but the price soared before you knew it." This most recent acquisition exceeds his own record purchases: He bid 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 ($2.1 million). Despite previously commenting that he thought he "overdid it," he has now gone on to shatter his personal record yet again. A Tradition of High Prices The opening auction at the Tokyo fish market is traditionally characterized by exceptionally high prices. Last year, the first tuna was bought for 207 million yen by a separate food company, which stated the fish would be featured at its eateries across Japan. The frenetic activity at the fish market during these pre-dawn auctions has transformed into a must-see tourist attraction in Tokyo. Monday's auction, which began around 05:00 local time, was equally bustling. Immediate Consumption The extremely valuable tuna was quickly processed for customers at the bidder's sushi restaurants 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 starts," said one satisfied customer.
A familiar auction figure is a prominent participant at the yearly sale. A bulky bluefin tuna created waves at the Toyosu fish market this Monday, garnering a unprecedented bid of 510.3 million yen ($3.2m; £2.4m) during the market's opening auction of the new year. The top bid for the 535-pound fish was placed by the operator of a popular sushi chain, which manages restaurants domestically and abroad. "The year's tuna heralds fortune," remarked the business owner, a regular participant at the yearly new year's auction. Known as the Tuna Tycoon, this entrepreneur is noted for making high bids for bluefin tuna at these high-profile January auctions. Auction Shock and Record-Setting Precedent After the auction, the winner admitted to journalists that he was "astonished at the final price," adding, "I expected we would be able to buy it a little for less, but the price soared before you knew it." This most recent acquisition exceeds his own record purchases: He bid 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 ($2.1 million). Despite previously commenting that he thought he "overdid it," he has now gone on to shatter his personal record yet again. A Tradition of High Prices The opening auction at the Tokyo fish market is traditionally characterized by exceptionally high prices. Last year, the first tuna was bought for 207 million yen by a separate food company, which stated the fish would be featured at its eateries across Japan. The frenetic activity at the fish market during these pre-dawn auctions has transformed into a must-see tourist attraction in Tokyo. Monday's auction, which began around 05:00 local time, was equally bustling. Immediate Consumption The extremely valuable tuna was quickly processed for customers at the bidder's sushi restaurants 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 starts," said one satisfied customer.