đź”— Share this article Pacific Bluefin Tuna Sells for Record Sum of $3.2m at Tokyo New Year Sale The 'Tuna King' is a regular presence at the yearly sale. A substantial bluefin tuna created waves at the Toyosu fish market this Monday, garnering a record-breaking bid of 510.3 million yen (3.2 million US dollars; ÂŁ2.4m) during the venue's first auction of the calendar year. The winning offer for the 243-kilogram fish was submitted by the operator of a nationwide sushi restaurant group, which runs restaurants across the country and internationally. "The year's tuna signals fortune," stated the business owner, a familiar bidder at the traditional first sale. Dubbed the Tuna King, this businessman is famous for making record bids for bluefin tuna at these auspicious new year auctions. Bidding Surprise and Record-Setting Precedent After the auction, the successful bidder informed the press that he was "astonished at the final price," adding, "I expected we would be able to buy it a little for less, but the price escalated rapidly." This new acquisition surpasses his own historic purchases: He paid 56.5 million yen away in 2012. He spent 155 million yen a year later. In 2019, he purchased a tuna for 333.6 million yen ($2.1 million). Despite once commenting that he thought he "did too much," he has now gone on to break his personal record another time. A Tradition of High Prices The first auction at the Toyosu fish market is traditionally known for sky-high prices. In the prior year, the first tuna was purchased for 207 million yen by another sushi chain operator, which indicated the fish would be served at its eateries throughout the country. The frenetic energy at the fish market during these early morning auctions has transformed into a must-see tourist attraction in Tokyo. Monday's auction, which began around 05:00 local time, was no different. From Auction to Plate The record-priced tuna was shortly thereafter processed for diners at the winner's sushi establishments soon after the auction was finished. "I believe like I've started the year in a good way after consuming something so fortune-bringing as the year starts," said one happy customer.
The 'Tuna King' is a regular presence at the yearly sale. A substantial bluefin tuna created waves at the Toyosu fish market this Monday, garnering a record-breaking bid of 510.3 million yen (3.2 million US dollars; ÂŁ2.4m) during the venue's first auction of the calendar year. The winning offer for the 243-kilogram fish was submitted by the operator of a nationwide sushi restaurant group, which runs restaurants across the country and internationally. "The year's tuna signals fortune," stated the business owner, a familiar bidder at the traditional first sale. Dubbed the Tuna King, this businessman is famous for making record bids for bluefin tuna at these auspicious new year auctions. Bidding Surprise and Record-Setting Precedent After the auction, the successful bidder informed the press that he was "astonished at the final price," adding, "I expected we would be able to buy it a little for less, but the price escalated rapidly." This new acquisition surpasses his own historic purchases: He paid 56.5 million yen away in 2012. He spent 155 million yen a year later. In 2019, he purchased a tuna for 333.6 million yen ($2.1 million). Despite once commenting that he thought he "did too much," he has now gone on to break his personal record another time. A Tradition of High Prices The first auction at the Toyosu fish market is traditionally known for sky-high prices. In the prior year, the first tuna was purchased for 207 million yen by another sushi chain operator, which indicated the fish would be served at its eateries throughout the country. The frenetic energy at the fish market during these early morning auctions has transformed into a must-see tourist attraction in Tokyo. Monday's auction, which began around 05:00 local time, was no different. From Auction to Plate The record-priced tuna was shortly thereafter processed for diners at the winner's sushi establishments soon after the auction was finished. "I believe like I've started the year in a good way after consuming something so fortune-bringing as the year starts," said one happy customer.