🔗 Share this article Bluefin Fish Sells for Record Bid of $3.2 million at Tokyo New Year Sale The winning bidder is a regular face at the annual 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 venue's inaugural auction of the calendar year. The winning offer for the 535-pound fish came from the company of a nationwide sushi restaurant group, which runs restaurants across the country and internationally. "The year's tuna heralds good luck," remarked the business owner, a regular figure at the annual January sale. Referred to as the Tuna Tycoon, this entrepreneur is famous for making substantial bids for premium bluefin tuna at these symbolic year-opening auctions. Bidding Shock and Historic Precedent After the auction, the winner informed reporters that he was "surprised at the amount," noting, "I expected we would be able to purchase it a little for less, but the price escalated before you knew it." This latest acquisition tops his previous record purchases: He bid 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). Even after previously remarking that he thought he "bid too high," he has now managed to shatter his personal record yet again. A Tradition of High Prices The opening auction at the Toyosu fish market is typically associated with sky-high prices. In the prior year, the initial tuna was purchased for 207 million yen by a different culinary group, which stated the fish would be available at its restaurants throughout the country. The frenetic activity at the fish market during these pre-sunrise auctions has become a must-see tourist attraction in Tokyo. Monday's auction, which began around 05:00 local time, was equally bustling. Swift Service The extremely valuable tuna was promptly processed for customers at the bidder's sushi restaurants shortly after the auction concluded. "I believe like I've started the year in a auspicious way after eating something so auspicious as the year begins," shared one happy customer.
The winning bidder is a regular face at the annual 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 venue's inaugural auction of the calendar year. The winning offer for the 535-pound fish came from the company of a nationwide sushi restaurant group, which runs restaurants across the country and internationally. "The year's tuna heralds good luck," remarked the business owner, a regular figure at the annual January sale. Referred to as the Tuna Tycoon, this entrepreneur is famous for making substantial bids for premium bluefin tuna at these symbolic year-opening auctions. Bidding Shock and Historic Precedent After the auction, the winner informed reporters that he was "surprised at the amount," noting, "I expected we would be able to purchase it a little for less, but the price escalated before you knew it." This latest acquisition tops his previous record purchases: He bid 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). Even after previously remarking that he thought he "bid too high," he has now managed to shatter his personal record yet again. A Tradition of High Prices The opening auction at the Toyosu fish market is typically associated with sky-high prices. In the prior year, the initial tuna was purchased for 207 million yen by a different culinary group, which stated the fish would be available at its restaurants throughout the country. The frenetic activity at the fish market during these pre-sunrise auctions has become a must-see tourist attraction in Tokyo. Monday's auction, which began around 05:00 local time, was equally bustling. Swift Service The extremely valuable tuna was promptly processed for customers at the bidder's sushi restaurants shortly after the auction concluded. "I believe like I've started the year in a auspicious way after eating something so auspicious as the year begins," shared one happy customer.