🔗 Share this article Pacific Bluefin Tuna Sells for Unprecedented Sum of $3.2 million at Tokyo New Year Sale The 'Tuna King' is a regular participant at the yearly sale. A massive Pacific bluefin tuna created waves at the Tokyo's 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 first auction of the year. The top offer for the 243kg fish came from the parent firm of a nationwide sushi chain, which runs restaurants domestically and overseas. "An inaugural tuna brings fortune," remarked the company president, a notable bidder at the yearly January sale. Dubbed the King of Tuna, this entrepreneur is famous for making high bids for premium bluefin tuna at these high-profile new year auctions. Auction Shock and Record-Setting Past Following the auction, the successful bidder admitted to the press that he was "taken aback at the final price," stating, "I expected we would be able to buy it a little at a lower price, but the price skyrocketed rapidly." This new acquisition tops his own notable purchases: He bid 56.5 million yen back in 2012. He paid 155 million yen a year later. In 2019, he purchased a tuna for 333.6 million yen ($2.1 million). Even after once commenting that he thought he "overdid it," he has now managed to shatter his personal record once again. A Tradition of High Prices The inaugural auction at the Toyosu fish market is typically known for exorbitant prices. Last year, the first tuna was bought for 207 million yen by a separate sushi chain operator, which stated the fish would be available at its eateries throughout the country. The frenetic atmosphere at the fish market during these early morning auctions has evolved into a must-see tourist attraction in Tokyo. Monday's auction, which began around 05:00 local time, was equally bustling. Immediate Consumption The multi-million-dollar tuna was quickly processed for customers at the entrepreneur's sushi establishments shortly after the auction concluded. "I sense like I've started the year in a positive way after tasting something so lucky as the year gets underway," shared one satisfied diner.
The 'Tuna King' is a regular participant at the yearly sale. A massive Pacific bluefin tuna created waves at the Tokyo's 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 first auction of the year. The top offer for the 243kg fish came from the parent firm of a nationwide sushi chain, which runs restaurants domestically and overseas. "An inaugural tuna brings fortune," remarked the company president, a notable bidder at the yearly January sale. Dubbed the King of Tuna, this entrepreneur is famous for making high bids for premium bluefin tuna at these high-profile new year auctions. Auction Shock and Record-Setting Past Following the auction, the successful bidder admitted to the press that he was "taken aback at the final price," stating, "I expected we would be able to buy it a little at a lower price, but the price skyrocketed rapidly." This new acquisition tops his own notable purchases: He bid 56.5 million yen back in 2012. He paid 155 million yen a year later. In 2019, he purchased a tuna for 333.6 million yen ($2.1 million). Even after once commenting that he thought he "overdid it," he has now managed to shatter his personal record once again. A Tradition of High Prices The inaugural auction at the Toyosu fish market is typically known for exorbitant prices. Last year, the first tuna was bought for 207 million yen by a separate sushi chain operator, which stated the fish would be available at its eateries throughout the country. The frenetic atmosphere at the fish market during these early morning auctions has evolved into a must-see tourist attraction in Tokyo. Monday's auction, which began around 05:00 local time, was equally bustling. Immediate Consumption The multi-million-dollar tuna was quickly processed for customers at the entrepreneur's sushi establishments shortly after the auction concluded. "I sense like I've started the year in a positive way after tasting something so lucky as the year gets underway," shared one satisfied diner.