🔗 Share this article Pacific Bluefin Tuna Commands Record Sum of 3.2 million dollars at Japanese Capital Auction A familiar auction figure is a regular presence at the traditional sale. A bulky bluefin tuna caused a stir at the Tokyo's Toyosu fish market this Monday, achieving a unprecedented bid of 510.3 million yen (3.2 million US dollars; £2.4m) during the market's opening auction of the new year. The successful offer for the 243kg fish came from the parent firm of a nationwide sushi restaurant group, which runs restaurants throughout Japan and abroad. "An inaugural tuna brings fortune," stated the business owner, a regular figure at the traditional new year's auction. Referred to as the Tuna Tycoon, this entrepreneur is noted for submitting high bids for premium bluefin tuna at these symbolic new year auctions. Auction Surprise and Historic Precedent After the auction, the winner admitted to reporters that he was "taken aback at the winning bid," stating, "I believed we would be able to acquire it a little cheaper, but the price skyrocketed before you knew it." This most recent purchase exceeds his own notable purchases: He paid 56.5 million yen away in 2012. He spent 155 million yen the following year. In 2019, he won a tuna for 333.6 million yen ($2.1 million). Even after previously saying that he thought he "overdid it," he has now gone on to break his personal record once again. An Annual Spectacle of High Prices The opening auction at the Tokyo fish market is traditionally known for exceptionally high prices. In the prior year, the first tuna was purchased for 207 million yen by a different sushi chain operator, which indicated the fish would be available at its restaurants across Japan. The high-energy atmosphere at the fish market during these early morning auctions has transformed into a major event in Tokyo. Monday's auction, which started around 05:00 local time, was equally bustling. Immediate Consumption The record-priced tuna was shortly thereafter processed for patrons at the bidder's sushi restaurants soon after the auction was finished. "I believe like I've started the year in a good way after tasting something so fortune-bringing as the year begins," remarked one satisfied patron.
A familiar auction figure is a regular presence at the traditional sale. A bulky bluefin tuna caused a stir at the Tokyo's Toyosu fish market this Monday, achieving a unprecedented bid of 510.3 million yen (3.2 million US dollars; £2.4m) during the market's opening auction of the new year. The successful offer for the 243kg fish came from the parent firm of a nationwide sushi restaurant group, which runs restaurants throughout Japan and abroad. "An inaugural tuna brings fortune," stated the business owner, a regular figure at the traditional new year's auction. Referred to as the Tuna Tycoon, this entrepreneur is noted for submitting high bids for premium bluefin tuna at these symbolic new year auctions. Auction Surprise and Historic Precedent After the auction, the winner admitted to reporters that he was "taken aback at the winning bid," stating, "I believed we would be able to acquire it a little cheaper, but the price skyrocketed before you knew it." This most recent purchase exceeds his own notable purchases: He paid 56.5 million yen away in 2012. He spent 155 million yen the following year. In 2019, he won a tuna for 333.6 million yen ($2.1 million). Even after previously saying that he thought he "overdid it," he has now gone on to break his personal record once again. An Annual Spectacle of High Prices The opening auction at the Tokyo fish market is traditionally known for exceptionally high prices. In the prior year, the first tuna was purchased for 207 million yen by a different sushi chain operator, which indicated the fish would be available at its restaurants across Japan. The high-energy atmosphere at the fish market during these early morning auctions has transformed into a major event in Tokyo. Monday's auction, which started around 05:00 local time, was equally bustling. Immediate Consumption The record-priced tuna was shortly thereafter processed for patrons at the bidder's sushi restaurants soon after the auction was finished. "I believe like I've started the year in a good way after tasting something so fortune-bringing as the year begins," remarked one satisfied patron.