đź”— Share this article Pacific Bluefin Tuna Commands Historic Price of $3.2m at Tokyo Auction The 'Tuna King' is a regular face at the annual event. A substantial Pacific bluefin tuna created waves at the Toyosu fish market this Monday, achieving a unprecedented bid of 510.3 million yen ($3.2 million; ÂŁ2.4m) during the market's opening auction of the calendar year. The winning bid for the 243kg fish was placed by the parent firm of a nationwide sushi restaurant group, which manages restaurants across the country and abroad. "The year's tuna signals fortune," stated the business owner, a regular participant at the yearly January sale. Referred to as the Tuna Tycoon, this entrepreneur is renowned for submitting high bids for premium bluefin tuna at these auspicious January auctions. Auction Surprise and Historic Past After the auction, the winner told the press that he was "surprised at the winning bid," adding, "I believed we would be able to buy it a little cheaper, but the price soared in no time." This most recent purchase exceeds his own notable purchases: He secured a tuna for 56.5 million yen back in 2012. He bid 155 million yen in 2013. In 2019, he acquired a tuna for 333.6 million yen (2.1 million dollars). Despite previously saying that he thought he "bid too high," he has now managed to surpass his own record yet again. An Annual Spectacle of High Prices The opening auction at the Toyosu fish market is notoriously known for sky-high prices. The previous year, the initial tuna was bought for 207 million yen by a different food company, which indicated the fish would be featured at its restaurants across Japan. The high-energy energy at the fish market during these pre-sunrise auctions has transformed into a major event in Tokyo. Monday's auction, which started around 05:00 local time, was no exception. From Auction to Plate The record-priced tuna was quickly processed for patrons at the bidder's sushi establishments immediately after the auction concluded. "I believe like I've begun the year in a good way after eating something so lucky as the year starts," shared one happy customer.
The 'Tuna King' is a regular face at the annual event. A substantial Pacific bluefin tuna created waves at the Toyosu fish market this Monday, achieving a unprecedented bid of 510.3 million yen ($3.2 million; ÂŁ2.4m) during the market's opening auction of the calendar year. The winning bid for the 243kg fish was placed by the parent firm of a nationwide sushi restaurant group, which manages restaurants across the country and abroad. "The year's tuna signals fortune," stated the business owner, a regular participant at the yearly January sale. Referred to as the Tuna Tycoon, this entrepreneur is renowned for submitting high bids for premium bluefin tuna at these auspicious January auctions. Auction Surprise and Historic Past After the auction, the winner told the press that he was "surprised at the winning bid," adding, "I believed we would be able to buy it a little cheaper, but the price soared in no time." This most recent purchase exceeds his own notable purchases: He secured a tuna for 56.5 million yen back in 2012. He bid 155 million yen in 2013. In 2019, he acquired a tuna for 333.6 million yen (2.1 million dollars). Despite previously saying that he thought he "bid too high," he has now managed to surpass his own record yet again. An Annual Spectacle of High Prices The opening auction at the Toyosu fish market is notoriously known for sky-high prices. The previous year, the initial tuna was bought for 207 million yen by a different food company, which indicated the fish would be featured at its restaurants across Japan. The high-energy energy at the fish market during these pre-sunrise auctions has transformed into a major event in Tokyo. Monday's auction, which started around 05:00 local time, was no exception. From Auction to Plate The record-priced tuna was quickly processed for patrons at the bidder's sushi establishments immediately after the auction concluded. "I believe like I've begun the year in a good way after eating something so lucky as the year starts," shared one happy customer.