🔗 Share this article Bluefin Fish Sells for Record Bid of $3.2 million at Japanese Capital Auction A familiar auction figure is a regular face at the yearly sale. A massive Pacific bluefin tuna made headlines at the Toyosu fish market this Monday, garnering a historic bid of 510.3 million yen (3.2 million US dollars; £2.4m) during the venue's opening auction of the new year. The winning bid for the 243kg fish was submitted by the parent firm of a well-known sushi restaurant group, which operates restaurants domestically and abroad. "The first tuna brings good luck," stated the business owner, a regular bidder at the yearly new year's auction. Known as the Tuna Tycoon, this businessman is renowned for making high bids for premium bluefin tuna at these high-profile new year auctions. Auction Shock and Historic Precedent Following the auction, the successful bidder informed the press that he was "surprised at the winning bid," noting, "I had thought we would be able to purchase it a little for less, but the price escalated rapidly." This latest purchase exceeds his previous notable 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 ($2.1 million). Even after previously saying that he thought he "overdid it," he has now gone on to break his personal record yet again. An Annual Spectacle of Exorbitant Bids The inaugural auction at the Toyosu fish market is traditionally known for exceptionally high prices. Last year, the first tuna was purchased for 207 million yen by a separate sushi chain operator, which stated the fish would be featured at its eateries across Japan. The high-energy activity at the fish market during these pre-sunrise auctions has transformed into a popular spectacle in Tokyo. Monday's auction, which started around 05:00 local time, was no exception. Immediate Consumption The record-priced tuna was quickly prepared for customers at the bidder's sushi chains immediately after the auction concluded. "I sense like I've commenced the year in a auspicious way after consuming something so auspicious as the year begins," remarked one elated diner.
A familiar auction figure is a regular face at the yearly sale. A massive Pacific bluefin tuna made headlines at the Toyosu fish market this Monday, garnering a historic bid of 510.3 million yen (3.2 million US dollars; £2.4m) during the venue's opening auction of the new year. The winning bid for the 243kg fish was submitted by the parent firm of a well-known sushi restaurant group, which operates restaurants domestically and abroad. "The first tuna brings good luck," stated the business owner, a regular bidder at the yearly new year's auction. Known as the Tuna Tycoon, this businessman is renowned for making high bids for premium bluefin tuna at these high-profile new year auctions. Auction Shock and Historic Precedent Following the auction, the successful bidder informed the press that he was "surprised at the winning bid," noting, "I had thought we would be able to purchase it a little for less, but the price escalated rapidly." This latest purchase exceeds his previous notable 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 ($2.1 million). Even after previously saying that he thought he "overdid it," he has now gone on to break his personal record yet again. An Annual Spectacle of Exorbitant Bids The inaugural auction at the Toyosu fish market is traditionally known for exceptionally high prices. Last year, the first tuna was purchased for 207 million yen by a separate sushi chain operator, which stated the fish would be featured at its eateries across Japan. The high-energy activity at the fish market during these pre-sunrise auctions has transformed into a popular spectacle in Tokyo. Monday's auction, which started around 05:00 local time, was no exception. Immediate Consumption The record-priced tuna was quickly prepared for customers at the bidder's sushi chains immediately after the auction concluded. "I sense like I've commenced the year in a auspicious way after consuming something so auspicious as the year begins," remarked one elated diner.