đź”— Share this article Pacific Bluefin Tuna Sells for Unprecedented Sum of $3.2 million at Tokyo Auction A familiar auction figure is a well-known presence at the traditional bidding war. A substantial Pacific bluefin tuna made headlines at the Toyosu fish market this Monday, securing a record-breaking bid of 510.3 million yen ($3.2 million; ÂŁ2.4m) during the venue's first auction of the year. The winning offer for the 535-pound fish was submitted by the parent firm of a nationwide sushi restaurant group, which runs restaurants across the country and abroad. "The year's tuna heralds good luck," remarked the company president, a familiar bidder at the yearly January sale. Dubbed the King of Tuna, this entrepreneur is noted for making record bids for premium bluefin tuna at these auspicious January auctions. Auction Surprise and Record-Setting Past Following the auction, the successful bidder told reporters that he was "surprised at the amount," adding, "I believed we would be able to acquire it a little for less, but the price soared before you knew it." This latest purchase exceeds his own historic purchases: He paid 56.5 million yen back in 2012. He paid 155 million yen a year later. In 2019, he won a tuna for 333.6 million yen ($2.1m). Despite previously commenting that he thought he "did too much," he has now managed to surpass his personal record yet again. An Annual Spectacle of High Prices The inaugural auction at the Tokyo fish market is notoriously known for sky-high prices. Last year, the first tuna was purchased for 207 million yen by another food company, which stated the fish would be featured at its locations throughout the country. The high-energy atmosphere at the fish market during these early morning auctions has transformed into a must-see tourist attraction in Tokyo. Monday's auction, which commenced around 05:00 local time, was equally bustling. Immediate Consumption The multi-million-dollar tuna was promptly sliced up for patrons at the bidder's sushi chains soon after the auction was finished. "I believe like I've started the year in a good way after consuming something so fortune-bringing as the year gets underway," said one satisfied patron.
A familiar auction figure is a well-known presence at the traditional bidding war. A substantial Pacific bluefin tuna made headlines at the Toyosu fish market this Monday, securing a record-breaking bid of 510.3 million yen ($3.2 million; ÂŁ2.4m) during the venue's first auction of the year. The winning offer for the 535-pound fish was submitted by the parent firm of a nationwide sushi restaurant group, which runs restaurants across the country and abroad. "The year's tuna heralds good luck," remarked the company president, a familiar bidder at the yearly January sale. Dubbed the King of Tuna, this entrepreneur is noted for making record bids for premium bluefin tuna at these auspicious January auctions. Auction Surprise and Record-Setting Past Following the auction, the successful bidder told reporters that he was "surprised at the amount," adding, "I believed we would be able to acquire it a little for less, but the price soared before you knew it." This latest purchase exceeds his own historic purchases: He paid 56.5 million yen back in 2012. He paid 155 million yen a year later. In 2019, he won a tuna for 333.6 million yen ($2.1m). Despite previously commenting that he thought he "did too much," he has now managed to surpass his personal record yet again. An Annual Spectacle of High Prices The inaugural auction at the Tokyo fish market is notoriously known for sky-high prices. Last year, the first tuna was purchased for 207 million yen by another food company, which stated the fish would be featured at its locations throughout the country. The high-energy atmosphere at the fish market during these early morning auctions has transformed into a must-see tourist attraction in Tokyo. Monday's auction, which commenced around 05:00 local time, was equally bustling. Immediate Consumption The multi-million-dollar tuna was promptly sliced up for patrons at the bidder's sushi chains soon after the auction was finished. "I believe like I've started the year in a good way after consuming something so fortune-bringing as the year gets underway," said one satisfied patron.