🔗 Share this article Pacific Bluefin Tuna Fetches Historic Price of 3.2 million dollars at Japanese Capital Auction The winning bidder is a regular participant at the yearly event. A substantial Pacific bluefin tuna made headlines 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 venue's opening auction of the new year. The winning bid for the 243kg fish was submitted by the parent firm of a well-known sushi chain, which manages restaurants throughout Japan and abroad. "The year's tuna heralds good luck," remarked the entrepreneur, a notable participant at the yearly new year's auction. Referred to as the King of Tuna, this businessman is noted for making record bids for premium bluefin tuna at these symbolic new year auctions. Auction Shock and Historic Precedent After the auction, the winner told reporters that he was "astonished at the amount," adding, "I had thought we would be able to purchase it a little at a lower price, but the price soared in no time." This new purchase surpasses his own historic purchases: He paid 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 ($2.1m). Despite previously saying that he thought he "overdid it," he has now managed to surpass his own record once again. A Tradition of High Prices The opening auction at the Tokyo fish market is notoriously characterized by exceptionally high prices. Last year, the first tuna was bought for 207 million yen by another culinary group, which indicated the fish would be featured at its eateries across Japan. The high-energy atmosphere at the fish market during these pre-dawn auctions has transformed into a popular 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 quickly sliced up for diners at the bidder's sushi restaurants immediately after the auction concluded. "I feel like I've begun the year in a auspicious way after consuming something so auspicious as the year begins," shared one elated customer.
The winning bidder is a regular participant at the yearly event. A substantial Pacific bluefin tuna made headlines 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 venue's opening auction of the new year. The winning bid for the 243kg fish was submitted by the parent firm of a well-known sushi chain, which manages restaurants throughout Japan and abroad. "The year's tuna heralds good luck," remarked the entrepreneur, a notable participant at the yearly new year's auction. Referred to as the King of Tuna, this businessman is noted for making record bids for premium bluefin tuna at these symbolic new year auctions. Auction Shock and Historic Precedent After the auction, the winner told reporters that he was "astonished at the amount," adding, "I had thought we would be able to purchase it a little at a lower price, but the price soared in no time." This new purchase surpasses his own historic purchases: He paid 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 ($2.1m). Despite previously saying that he thought he "overdid it," he has now managed to surpass his own record once again. A Tradition of High Prices The opening auction at the Tokyo fish market is notoriously characterized by exceptionally high prices. Last year, the first tuna was bought for 207 million yen by another culinary group, which indicated the fish would be featured at its eateries across Japan. The high-energy atmosphere at the fish market during these pre-dawn auctions has transformed into a popular 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 quickly sliced up for diners at the bidder's sushi restaurants immediately after the auction concluded. "I feel like I've begun the year in a auspicious way after consuming something so auspicious as the year begins," shared one elated customer.