🔗 Share this article Pacific Bluefin Fish Commands Unprecedented Bid of 3.2 million dollars at Japanese Capital Auction A familiar auction figure is a well-known presence at the annual sale. A bulky Pacific bluefin tuna made headlines 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 market's first auction of the year. The winning offer for the 535-pound fish was submitted by the parent firm of a popular sushi restaurant group, which operates outlets across the country and internationally. "The first tuna brings fortune," commented the business owner, a regular figure at the yearly first sale. Referred to as the Tuna King, this businessman is renowned for placing high bids for bluefin tuna at these auspicious new year auctions. Auction Shock and Historic Past Following the auction, the winner admitted to the press that he was "astonished at the winning bid," noting, "I expected we would be able to purchase it a little cheaper, but the price soared before you knew it." This new acquisition surpasses his own historic purchases: He paid 56.5 million yen away in 2012. He spent 155 million yen the following year. In 2019, he purchased a tuna for 333.6 million yen (2.1 million dollars). Despite once commenting that he thought he "overdid it," he has now proceeded to shatter his personal record yet again. An Annual Spectacle of Exorbitant Bids The first auction at the Tokyo fish market is notoriously characterized by exceptionally high prices. Last year, the first tuna was purchased for 207 million yen by a separate culinary group, which announced the fish would be served at its eateries throughout the country. The intense atmosphere at the fish market during these early morning auctions has transformed into a major spectacle in Tokyo. Monday's auction, which commenced around 05:00 local time, was no exception. Swift Service The multi-million-dollar tuna was promptly processed for patrons at the entrepreneur's sushi establishments soon after the auction concluded. "I believe like I've begun the year in a positive way after eating something so fortune-bringing as the year begins," said one happy diner.
A familiar auction figure is a well-known presence at the annual sale. A bulky Pacific bluefin tuna made headlines 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 market's first auction of the year. The winning offer for the 535-pound fish was submitted by the parent firm of a popular sushi restaurant group, which operates outlets across the country and internationally. "The first tuna brings fortune," commented the business owner, a regular figure at the yearly first sale. Referred to as the Tuna King, this businessman is renowned for placing high bids for bluefin tuna at these auspicious new year auctions. Auction Shock and Historic Past Following the auction, the winner admitted to the press that he was "astonished at the winning bid," noting, "I expected we would be able to purchase it a little cheaper, but the price soared before you knew it." This new acquisition surpasses his own historic purchases: He paid 56.5 million yen away in 2012. He spent 155 million yen the following year. In 2019, he purchased a tuna for 333.6 million yen (2.1 million dollars). Despite once commenting that he thought he "overdid it," he has now proceeded to shatter his personal record yet again. An Annual Spectacle of Exorbitant Bids The first auction at the Tokyo fish market is notoriously characterized by exceptionally high prices. Last year, the first tuna was purchased for 207 million yen by a separate culinary group, which announced the fish would be served at its eateries throughout the country. The intense atmosphere at the fish market during these early morning auctions has transformed into a major spectacle in Tokyo. Monday's auction, which commenced around 05:00 local time, was no exception. Swift Service The multi-million-dollar tuna was promptly processed for patrons at the entrepreneur's sushi establishments soon after the auction concluded. "I believe like I've begun the year in a positive way after eating something so fortune-bringing as the year begins," said one happy diner.