🔗 Share this article Bluefin Fish Sells for Unprecedented Bid of $3.2 million at Tokyo Auction The winning bidder is a regular presence at the yearly sale. A massive Pacific bluefin tuna caused a stir at the Tokyo's Toyosu fish market this Monday, garnering a unprecedented bid of 510.3 million yen ($3.2 million; £2.4m) during the venue's inaugural auction of the calendar year. The successful offer for the 243kg fish was submitted by the company of a nationwide sushi chain, which operates restaurants throughout Japan and internationally. "The year's tuna brings a prosperous start," commented the entrepreneur, a regular participant at the traditional January sale. Known as the Tuna Tycoon, this entrepreneur is noted for placing substantial bids for bluefin tuna at these high-profile January auctions. Auction Surprise and Record-Setting Precedent Following the auction, the winner told reporters that he was "taken aback at the final price," stating, "I had thought we would be able to purchase it a little at a lower price, but the price skyrocketed rapidly." This latest acquisition surpasses his previous historic purchases: He secured a tuna for 56.5 million yen away in 2012. He spent 155 million yen a year later. In 2019, he won a tuna for 333.6 million yen ($2.1m). Even after once commenting that he thought he "did too much," he has now gone on to shatter his own record once again. A Tradition of Exorbitant Bids The opening auction at the Toyosu fish market is notoriously known for exceptionally high prices. In the prior year, the initial tuna was acquired for 207 million yen by a different culinary group, which announced the fish would be available at its eateries throughout the country. The frenetic atmosphere at the fish market during these pre-dawn auctions has evolved into a popular event in Tokyo. Monday's auction, which started around 05:00 local time, was equally bustling. From Auction to Plate The record-priced tuna was promptly processed for patrons at the entrepreneur's sushi chains shortly after the auction concluded. "I believe like I've started the year in a positive way after consuming something so auspicious as the year gets underway," said one happy customer.
The winning bidder is a regular presence at the yearly sale. A massive Pacific bluefin tuna caused a stir at the Tokyo's Toyosu fish market this Monday, garnering a unprecedented bid of 510.3 million yen ($3.2 million; £2.4m) during the venue's inaugural auction of the calendar year. The successful offer for the 243kg fish was submitted by the company of a nationwide sushi chain, which operates restaurants throughout Japan and internationally. "The year's tuna brings a prosperous start," commented the entrepreneur, a regular participant at the traditional January sale. Known as the Tuna Tycoon, this entrepreneur is noted for placing substantial bids for bluefin tuna at these high-profile January auctions. Auction Surprise and Record-Setting Precedent Following the auction, the winner told reporters that he was "taken aback at the final price," stating, "I had thought we would be able to purchase it a little at a lower price, but the price skyrocketed rapidly." This latest acquisition surpasses his previous historic purchases: He secured a tuna for 56.5 million yen away in 2012. He spent 155 million yen a year later. In 2019, he won a tuna for 333.6 million yen ($2.1m). Even after once commenting that he thought he "did too much," he has now gone on to shatter his own record once again. A Tradition of Exorbitant Bids The opening auction at the Toyosu fish market is notoriously known for exceptionally high prices. In the prior year, the initial tuna was acquired for 207 million yen by a different culinary group, which announced the fish would be available at its eateries throughout the country. The frenetic atmosphere at the fish market during these pre-dawn auctions has evolved into a popular event in Tokyo. Monday's auction, which started around 05:00 local time, was equally bustling. From Auction to Plate The record-priced tuna was promptly processed for patrons at the entrepreneur's sushi chains shortly after the auction concluded. "I believe like I've started the year in a positive way after consuming something so auspicious as the year gets underway," said one happy customer.