🔗 Share this article Pacific Bluefin Fish Sells for Unprecedented Bid of 3.2 million dollars at Japanese Capital Auction The winning bidder is a well-known participant at the traditional bidding war. A substantial Pacific bluefin tuna caused a stir at the 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 year. The winning offer for the 243kg fish was placed by the parent firm of a well-known sushi chain, which operates locations domestically and internationally. "The first tuna heralds a prosperous start," commented the entrepreneur, a notable participant at the annual first sale. Dubbed the Tuna King, this industry figure is noted for submitting substantial bids for bluefin tuna at these symbolic new year auctions. Auction Surprise and Record-Setting Precedent After the auction, the winner informed journalists that he was "taken aback at the winning bid," noting, "I believed we would be able to purchase it a little for less, but the price soared rapidly." This most recent purchase tops his own historic purchases: He paid 56.5 million yen back in 2012. He paid 155 million yen in 2013. In 2019, he acquired a tuna for 333.6 million yen (2.1 million dollars). Even after once saying that he thought he "bid too high," he has now gone on to shatter his own record yet again. An Annual Spectacle of Exorbitant Bids The inaugural auction at the Tokyo fish market is notoriously known for sky-high prices. Last year, the initial tuna was bought for 207 million yen by a different food company, which announced the fish would be featured at its restaurants across Japan. The frenetic activity at the fish market during these pre-dawn auctions has become a must-see event in Tokyo. Monday's auction, which began around 05:00 local time, was equally bustling. From Auction to Plate The multi-million-dollar tuna was shortly thereafter prepared for diners at the entrepreneur's sushi chains immediately after the auction ended. "I sense like I've started the year in a positive way after tasting something so auspicious as the year gets underway," remarked one satisfied diner.
The winning bidder is a well-known participant at the traditional bidding war. A substantial Pacific bluefin tuna caused a stir at the 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 year. The winning offer for the 243kg fish was placed by the parent firm of a well-known sushi chain, which operates locations domestically and internationally. "The first tuna heralds a prosperous start," commented the entrepreneur, a notable participant at the annual first sale. Dubbed the Tuna King, this industry figure is noted for submitting substantial bids for bluefin tuna at these symbolic new year auctions. Auction Surprise and Record-Setting Precedent After the auction, the winner informed journalists that he was "taken aback at the winning bid," noting, "I believed we would be able to purchase it a little for less, but the price soared rapidly." This most recent purchase tops his own historic purchases: He paid 56.5 million yen back in 2012. He paid 155 million yen in 2013. In 2019, he acquired a tuna for 333.6 million yen (2.1 million dollars). Even after once saying that he thought he "bid too high," he has now gone on to shatter his own record yet again. An Annual Spectacle of Exorbitant Bids The inaugural auction at the Tokyo fish market is notoriously known for sky-high prices. Last year, the initial tuna was bought for 207 million yen by a different food company, which announced the fish would be featured at its restaurants across Japan. The frenetic activity at the fish market during these pre-dawn auctions has become a must-see event in Tokyo. Monday's auction, which began around 05:00 local time, was equally bustling. From Auction to Plate The multi-million-dollar tuna was shortly thereafter prepared for diners at the entrepreneur's sushi chains immediately after the auction ended. "I sense like I've started the year in a positive way after tasting something so auspicious as the year gets underway," remarked one satisfied diner.