🔗 Share this article Bluefin Tuna Commands Record Sum of $3.2m at Tokyo Auction The 'Tuna King' is a regular participant at the annual sale. A substantial Pacific bluefin tuna made headlines 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 market's opening auction of the year. The winning bid for the 535-pound fish was placed by the operator of a well-known sushi restaurant group, which operates locations domestically and overseas. "An inaugural tuna signals a prosperous start," remarked the business owner, a regular bidder at the yearly new year's auction. Known as the Tuna King, this industry figure is famous for placing high bids for premium bluefin tuna at these high-profile January auctions. Bidding Surprise and Historic Precedent After the auction, the successful bidder admitted to reporters that he was "astonished at the amount," noting, "I had thought we would be able to acquire it a little for less, but the price skyrocketed in no time." This latest acquisition surpasses his own historic purchases: He bid 56.5 million yen back in 2012. He bid 155 million yen the following year. In 2019, he acquired a tuna for 333.6 million yen ($2.1 million). Even after once remarking that he thought he "overdid it," 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 notoriously characterized by exorbitant prices. Last year, the initial tuna was bought for 207 million yen by a different culinary group, which announced the fish would be featured at its eateries throughout the country. The high-energy energy at the fish market during these pre-dawn auctions has transformed into a popular spectacle in Tokyo. Monday's auction, which commenced around 05:00 local time, was no exception. From Auction to Plate The record-priced tuna was promptly prepared for customers at the entrepreneur's sushi restaurants soon after the auction ended. "I sense like I've started the year in a auspicious way after eating something so lucky as the year gets underway," said one elated patron.
The 'Tuna King' is a regular participant at the annual sale. A substantial Pacific bluefin tuna made headlines 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 market's opening auction of the year. The winning bid for the 535-pound fish was placed by the operator of a well-known sushi restaurant group, which operates locations domestically and overseas. "An inaugural tuna signals a prosperous start," remarked the business owner, a regular bidder at the yearly new year's auction. Known as the Tuna King, this industry figure is famous for placing high bids for premium bluefin tuna at these high-profile January auctions. Bidding Surprise and Historic Precedent After the auction, the successful bidder admitted to reporters that he was "astonished at the amount," noting, "I had thought we would be able to acquire it a little for less, but the price skyrocketed in no time." This latest acquisition surpasses his own historic purchases: He bid 56.5 million yen back in 2012. He bid 155 million yen the following year. In 2019, he acquired a tuna for 333.6 million yen ($2.1 million). Even after once remarking that he thought he "overdid it," 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 notoriously characterized by exorbitant prices. Last year, the initial tuna was bought for 207 million yen by a different culinary group, which announced the fish would be featured at its eateries throughout the country. The high-energy energy at the fish market during these pre-dawn auctions has transformed into a popular spectacle in Tokyo. Monday's auction, which commenced around 05:00 local time, was no exception. From Auction to Plate The record-priced tuna was promptly prepared for customers at the entrepreneur's sushi restaurants soon after the auction ended. "I sense like I've started the year in a auspicious way after eating something so lucky as the year gets underway," said one elated patron.