🔗 Share this article Bluefin Tuna Fetches Historic Sum of 3.2 million dollars at Tokyo New Year Sale The winning bidder is a well-known presence at the traditional event. A substantial bluefin tuna caused a stir at the Toyosu fish market this Monday, garnering a historic bid of 510.3 million yen ($3.2m; £2.4m) during the market's opening auction of the year. The successful bid for the 243kg fish was submitted by the company of a nationwide sushi chain, which operates locations across the country and abroad. "An inaugural tuna heralds a prosperous start," remarked the entrepreneur, a regular figure at the annual January sale. Referred to as the Tuna King, this industry figure is renowned for making substantial bids for bluefin tuna at these auspicious year-opening auctions. Auction Shock and Record-Setting Precedent Following the auction, the successful bidder told reporters that he was "taken aback at the amount," stating, "I believed we would be able to acquire it a little at a lower price, but the price skyrocketed in no time." This latest purchase tops his previous notable purchases: He bid 56.5 million yen back in 2012. He bid 155 million yen in 2013. In 2019, he won a tuna for 333.6 million yen ($2.1 million). Despite once remarking that he thought he "bid too high," he has now managed to surpass his personal record once again. A Tradition of Exorbitant Bids The inaugural auction at the Toyosu fish market is notoriously known for sky-high prices. The previous year, the first tuna was bought for 207 million yen by a different culinary group, which stated the fish would be featured at its locations across Japan. The high-energy atmosphere at the fish market during these pre-sunrise auctions has evolved into a must-see event in Tokyo. Monday's auction, which commenced around 05:00 local time, was no exception. Immediate Consumption The record-priced tuna was promptly prepared for customers at the entrepreneur's sushi restaurants shortly after the auction ended. "I sense like I've begun the year in a auspicious way after tasting something so fortune-bringing as the year gets underway," said one satisfied customer.
The winning bidder is a well-known presence at the traditional event. A substantial bluefin tuna caused a stir at the Toyosu fish market this Monday, garnering a historic bid of 510.3 million yen ($3.2m; £2.4m) during the market's opening auction of the year. The successful bid for the 243kg fish was submitted by the company of a nationwide sushi chain, which operates locations across the country and abroad. "An inaugural tuna heralds a prosperous start," remarked the entrepreneur, a regular figure at the annual January sale. Referred to as the Tuna King, this industry figure is renowned for making substantial bids for bluefin tuna at these auspicious year-opening auctions. Auction Shock and Record-Setting Precedent Following the auction, the successful bidder told reporters that he was "taken aback at the amount," stating, "I believed we would be able to acquire it a little at a lower price, but the price skyrocketed in no time." This latest purchase tops his previous notable purchases: He bid 56.5 million yen back in 2012. He bid 155 million yen in 2013. In 2019, he won a tuna for 333.6 million yen ($2.1 million). Despite once remarking that he thought he "bid too high," he has now managed to surpass his personal record once again. A Tradition of Exorbitant Bids The inaugural auction at the Toyosu fish market is notoriously known for sky-high prices. The previous year, the first tuna was bought for 207 million yen by a different culinary group, which stated the fish would be featured at its locations across Japan. The high-energy atmosphere at the fish market during these pre-sunrise auctions has evolved into a must-see event in Tokyo. Monday's auction, which commenced around 05:00 local time, was no exception. Immediate Consumption The record-priced tuna was promptly prepared for customers at the entrepreneur's sushi restaurants shortly after the auction ended. "I sense like I've begun the year in a auspicious way after tasting something so fortune-bringing as the year gets underway," said one satisfied customer.