🔗 Share this article Pacific Bluefin Fish Commands Historic Sum of $3.2m at Japanese Capital Auction The 'Tuna King' is a prominent presence at the traditional event. A substantial Pacific bluefin tuna created waves at the Tokyo's Toyosu fish market this Monday, securing a record-breaking bid of 510.3 million yen ($3.2 million; £2.4m) during the venue's first auction of the calendar year. The successful bid for the 535-pound fish was submitted by the parent firm of a popular sushi chain, which operates outlets throughout Japan and internationally. "The first tuna brings good luck," stated the entrepreneur, a familiar figure at the yearly new year's auction. Referred to as the Tuna King, this entrepreneur is famous for placing high bids for premium bluefin tuna at these symbolic January auctions. Bidding Surprise and Record-Setting Precedent After the auction, the winner admitted to reporters that he was "taken aback at the amount," stating, "I expected we would be able to buy it a little for less, but the price escalated in no time." This latest purchase exceeds his previous record purchases: He secured a tuna for 56.5 million yen back in 2012. He paid 155 million yen the following year. In 2019, he purchased a tuna for 333.6 million yen ($2.1 million). Despite once remarking that he thought he "bid too high," he has now proceeded to break his own record once again. A Tradition of High Prices The inaugural auction at the Toyosu fish market is traditionally associated with exorbitant prices. In the prior year, the initial tuna was acquired for 207 million yen by another food company, which announced the fish would be available at its restaurants nationwide. The frenetic atmosphere at the fish market during these pre-sunrise auctions has transformed into a must-see spectacle in Tokyo. Monday's auction, which started around 05:00 local time, was equally bustling. Swift Service The multi-million-dollar tuna was promptly sliced up for customers at the entrepreneur's sushi restaurants shortly after the auction concluded. "I sense like I've begun the year in a good way after consuming something so lucky as the year begins," shared one happy diner.
The 'Tuna King' is a prominent presence at the traditional event. A substantial Pacific bluefin tuna created waves at the Tokyo's Toyosu fish market this Monday, securing a record-breaking bid of 510.3 million yen ($3.2 million; £2.4m) during the venue's first auction of the calendar year. The successful bid for the 535-pound fish was submitted by the parent firm of a popular sushi chain, which operates outlets throughout Japan and internationally. "The first tuna brings good luck," stated the entrepreneur, a familiar figure at the yearly new year's auction. Referred to as the Tuna King, this entrepreneur is famous for placing high bids for premium bluefin tuna at these symbolic January auctions. Bidding Surprise and Record-Setting Precedent After the auction, the winner admitted to reporters that he was "taken aback at the amount," stating, "I expected we would be able to buy it a little for less, but the price escalated in no time." This latest purchase exceeds his previous record purchases: He secured a tuna for 56.5 million yen back in 2012. He paid 155 million yen the following year. In 2019, he purchased a tuna for 333.6 million yen ($2.1 million). Despite once remarking that he thought he "bid too high," he has now proceeded to break his own record once again. A Tradition of High Prices The inaugural auction at the Toyosu fish market is traditionally associated with exorbitant prices. In the prior year, the initial tuna was acquired for 207 million yen by another food company, which announced the fish would be available at its restaurants nationwide. The frenetic atmosphere at the fish market during these pre-sunrise auctions has transformed into a must-see spectacle in Tokyo. Monday's auction, which started around 05:00 local time, was equally bustling. Swift Service The multi-million-dollar tuna was promptly sliced up for customers at the entrepreneur's sushi restaurants shortly after the auction concluded. "I sense like I've begun the year in a good way after consuming something so lucky as the year begins," shared one happy diner.