🔗 Share this article Bluefin Fish Commands Historic Bid of 3.2 million dollars at Japanese Capital Auction A familiar auction figure is a prominent participant at the annual event. A massive Pacific bluefin tuna made headlines at the Tokyo's Toyosu fish market this Monday, achieving a record-breaking bid of 510.3 million yen ($3.2m; £2.4m) during the market's inaugural auction of the year. The winning bid for the 535-pound fish was submitted by the parent firm of a nationwide sushi chain, which manages restaurants domestically and overseas. "The year's tuna heralds good luck," commented the business owner, a notable participant at the annual new year's auction. Dubbed the Tuna Tycoon, this industry figure is renowned 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 winner told journalists that he was "astonished at the amount," noting, "I had thought we would be able to buy it a little for less, but the price soared in no time." This most recent acquisition surpasses his own historic purchases: He bid 56.5 million yen away in 2012. He bid 155 million yen in 2013. In 2019, he purchased a tuna for 333.6 million yen ($2.1m). Even after once commenting that he thought he "bid too high," he has now proceeded to shatter his own record once again. A Tradition of Exorbitant Bids The inaugural auction at the Toyosu fish market is typically known for sky-high prices. In the prior year, the initial tuna was bought for 207 million yen by a different sushi chain operator, which announced the fish would be featured at its restaurants across Japan. The intense activity at the fish market during these pre-sunrise auctions has evolved into a must-see spectacle in Tokyo. Monday's auction, which started around 05:00 local time, was no exception. Immediate Consumption The extremely valuable tuna was promptly processed for patrons at the bidder's sushi establishments immediately after the auction concluded. "I believe like I've started the year in a auspicious way after consuming something so auspicious as the year begins," said one satisfied patron.
A familiar auction figure is a prominent participant at the annual event. A massive Pacific bluefin tuna made headlines at the Tokyo's Toyosu fish market this Monday, achieving a record-breaking bid of 510.3 million yen ($3.2m; £2.4m) during the market's inaugural auction of the year. The winning bid for the 535-pound fish was submitted by the parent firm of a nationwide sushi chain, which manages restaurants domestically and overseas. "The year's tuna heralds good luck," commented the business owner, a notable participant at the annual new year's auction. Dubbed the Tuna Tycoon, this industry figure is renowned 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 winner told journalists that he was "astonished at the amount," noting, "I had thought we would be able to buy it a little for less, but the price soared in no time." This most recent acquisition surpasses his own historic purchases: He bid 56.5 million yen away in 2012. He bid 155 million yen in 2013. In 2019, he purchased a tuna for 333.6 million yen ($2.1m). Even after once commenting that he thought he "bid too high," he has now proceeded to shatter his own record once again. A Tradition of Exorbitant Bids The inaugural auction at the Toyosu fish market is typically known for sky-high prices. In the prior year, the initial tuna was bought for 207 million yen by a different sushi chain operator, which announced the fish would be featured at its restaurants across Japan. The intense activity at the fish market during these pre-sunrise auctions has evolved into a must-see spectacle in Tokyo. Monday's auction, which started around 05:00 local time, was no exception. Immediate Consumption The extremely valuable tuna was promptly processed for patrons at the bidder's sushi establishments immediately after the auction concluded. "I believe like I've started the year in a auspicious way after consuming something so auspicious as the year begins," said one satisfied patron.