🔗 Share this article Bluefin Fish Fetches Unprecedented Sum of $3.2 million at Japanese Capital Auction The 'Tuna King' is a prominent presence at the annual event. A massive bluefin tuna caused a stir at the Tokyo's Toyosu fish market this Monday, garnering a historic bid of 510.3 million yen ($3.2 million; £2.4m) during the venue's first auction of the year. The successful bid for the 243kg fish was placed by the operator of a well-known sushi restaurant group, which operates outlets domestically and overseas. "The year's tuna brings good luck," commented the company president, a familiar figure at the annual January sale. Referred to as the Tuna King, this businessman is renowned for making high bids for bluefin tuna at these symbolic January auctions. Bidding Shock and Record-Setting Precedent Following the auction, the winner informed journalists that he was "taken aback at the final price," stating, "I had thought we would be able to purchase it a little at a lower price, but the price soared rapidly." This new purchase surpasses his own historic purchases: He secured a tuna for 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 (2.1 million dollars). Despite previously commenting that he thought he "overdid it," he has now proceeded to shatter his personal record yet again. A Tradition of Exorbitant Bids The first auction at the Tokyo fish market is traditionally associated with sky-high prices. Last year, the first tuna was purchased for 207 million yen by a different sushi chain operator, which announced the fish would be available at its restaurants nationwide. The intense activity at the fish market during these pre-dawn auctions has transformed into a popular tourist attraction in Tokyo. Monday's auction, which started around 05:00 local time, was equally bustling. Immediate Consumption The record-priced tuna was shortly thereafter sliced up for diners at the bidder's sushi chains soon after the auction was finished. "I believe like I've begun the year in a good way after consuming something so auspicious as the year starts," said one elated patron.
The 'Tuna King' is a prominent presence at the annual event. A massive bluefin tuna caused a stir at the Tokyo's Toyosu fish market this Monday, garnering a historic bid of 510.3 million yen ($3.2 million; £2.4m) during the venue's first auction of the year. The successful bid for the 243kg fish was placed by the operator of a well-known sushi restaurant group, which operates outlets domestically and overseas. "The year's tuna brings good luck," commented the company president, a familiar figure at the annual January sale. Referred to as the Tuna King, this businessman is renowned for making high bids for bluefin tuna at these symbolic January auctions. Bidding Shock and Record-Setting Precedent Following the auction, the winner informed journalists that he was "taken aback at the final price," stating, "I had thought we would be able to purchase it a little at a lower price, but the price soared rapidly." This new purchase surpasses his own historic purchases: He secured a tuna for 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 (2.1 million dollars). Despite previously commenting that he thought he "overdid it," he has now proceeded to shatter his personal record yet again. A Tradition of Exorbitant Bids The first auction at the Tokyo fish market is traditionally associated with sky-high prices. Last year, the first tuna was purchased for 207 million yen by a different sushi chain operator, which announced the fish would be available at its restaurants nationwide. The intense activity at the fish market during these pre-dawn auctions has transformed into a popular tourist attraction in Tokyo. Monday's auction, which started around 05:00 local time, was equally bustling. Immediate Consumption The record-priced tuna was shortly thereafter sliced up for diners at the bidder's sushi chains soon after the auction was finished. "I believe like I've begun the year in a good way after consuming something so auspicious as the year starts," said one elated patron.