🔗 Share this article Pacific Bluefin Fish Fetches Historic Price of $3.2 million at Japanese Capital Auction A familiar auction figure is a well-known participant at the annual event. A massive Pacific bluefin tuna caused a stir at the Toyosu fish market this Monday, securing a historic bid of 510.3 million yen (3.2 million US dollars; £2.4m) during the venue's first auction of the new year. The winning offer for the 243kg fish was submitted by the company of a well-known sushi restaurant group, which runs locations across the country and abroad. "An inaugural tuna heralds a prosperous start," commented the company president, a notable bidder at the traditional first sale. Known as the Tuna Tycoon, this businessman is renowned for placing record bids for bluefin tuna at these auspicious January auctions. Bidding Surprise and Historic Past Following the auction, the winner admitted to journalists that he was "astonished at the final price," stating, "I expected we would be able to buy it a little cheaper, but the price escalated in no time." This latest purchase surpasses his previous notable purchases: He paid 56.5 million yen back in 2012. He paid 155 million yen in 2013. In 2019, he purchased 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 break his own record another time. A Tradition of High Prices The inaugural auction at the Tokyo fish market is typically associated with exorbitant prices. The previous year, the initial tuna was bought for 207 million yen by a separate culinary group, which indicated the fish would be served at its restaurants nationwide. The high-energy atmosphere at the fish market during these pre-sunrise auctions has transformed into a major event in Tokyo. Monday's auction, which commenced around 05:00 local time, was no different. Immediate Consumption The multi-million-dollar tuna was quickly processed for customers at the entrepreneur's sushi establishments immediately after the auction ended. "I feel like I've begun the year in a positive way after consuming something so fortune-bringing as the year begins," shared one happy diner.
A familiar auction figure is a well-known participant at the annual event. A massive Pacific bluefin tuna caused a stir at the Toyosu fish market this Monday, securing a historic bid of 510.3 million yen (3.2 million US dollars; £2.4m) during the venue's first auction of the new year. The winning offer for the 243kg fish was submitted by the company of a well-known sushi restaurant group, which runs locations across the country and abroad. "An inaugural tuna heralds a prosperous start," commented the company president, a notable bidder at the traditional first sale. Known as the Tuna Tycoon, this businessman is renowned for placing record bids for bluefin tuna at these auspicious January auctions. Bidding Surprise and Historic Past Following the auction, the winner admitted to journalists that he was "astonished at the final price," stating, "I expected we would be able to buy it a little cheaper, but the price escalated in no time." This latest purchase surpasses his previous notable purchases: He paid 56.5 million yen back in 2012. He paid 155 million yen in 2013. In 2019, he purchased 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 break his own record another time. A Tradition of High Prices The inaugural auction at the Tokyo fish market is typically associated with exorbitant prices. The previous year, the initial tuna was bought for 207 million yen by a separate culinary group, which indicated the fish would be served at its restaurants nationwide. The high-energy atmosphere at the fish market during these pre-sunrise auctions has transformed into a major event in Tokyo. Monday's auction, which commenced around 05:00 local time, was no different. Immediate Consumption The multi-million-dollar tuna was quickly processed for customers at the entrepreneur's sushi establishments immediately after the auction ended. "I feel like I've begun the year in a positive way after consuming something so fortune-bringing as the year begins," shared one happy diner.