🔗 Share this article Bluefin Tuna Fetches Historic Price of $3.2 million at Tokyo New Year Sale The 'Tuna King' is a regular participant at the yearly event. A substantial Pacific bluefin tuna made headlines at the Toyosu fish market this Monday, garnering a historic bid of 510.3 million yen ($3.2 million; £2.4m) during the market's inaugural auction of the calendar year. The successful offer for the 535-pound fish was submitted by the operator of a popular sushi chain, which runs restaurants throughout Japan and abroad. "An inaugural tuna signals a prosperous start," commented the business owner, a regular participant at the annual first sale. Referred to as the Tuna King, this businessman is noted for making substantial bids for premium bluefin tuna at these high-profile January auctions. Auction Surprise and Record-Setting Precedent After the auction, the winner informed journalists that he was "taken aback at the final price," noting, "I had thought we would be able to purchase it a little for less, but the price escalated before you knew it." This most recent acquisition tops his previous historic 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 remarking that he thought he "bid too high," he has now gone on to break his own record once again. A Tradition of High Prices The inaugural auction at the Tokyo fish market is typically known for exceptionally high prices. The previous year, the initial tuna was purchased for 207 million yen by a different sushi chain operator, which stated the fish would be served at its eateries throughout the country. The frenetic activity at the fish market during these pre-sunrise auctions has become a must-see event in Tokyo. Monday's auction, which started around 05:00 local time, was no different. Swift Service The record-priced tuna was quickly processed for customers at the winner's sushi restaurants immediately after the auction concluded. "I believe like I've started the year in a positive way after eating something so lucky as the year starts," shared one satisfied customer.
The 'Tuna King' is a regular participant at the yearly event. A substantial Pacific bluefin tuna made headlines at the Toyosu fish market this Monday, garnering a historic bid of 510.3 million yen ($3.2 million; £2.4m) during the market's inaugural auction of the calendar year. The successful offer for the 535-pound fish was submitted by the operator of a popular sushi chain, which runs restaurants throughout Japan and abroad. "An inaugural tuna signals a prosperous start," commented the business owner, a regular participant at the annual first sale. Referred to as the Tuna King, this businessman is noted for making substantial bids for premium bluefin tuna at these high-profile January auctions. Auction Surprise and Record-Setting Precedent After the auction, the winner informed journalists that he was "taken aback at the final price," noting, "I had thought we would be able to purchase it a little for less, but the price escalated before you knew it." This most recent acquisition tops his previous historic 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 remarking that he thought he "bid too high," he has now gone on to break his own record once again. A Tradition of High Prices The inaugural auction at the Tokyo fish market is typically known for exceptionally high prices. The previous year, the initial tuna was purchased for 207 million yen by a different sushi chain operator, which stated the fish would be served at its eateries throughout the country. The frenetic activity at the fish market during these pre-sunrise auctions has become a must-see event in Tokyo. Monday's auction, which started around 05:00 local time, was no different. Swift Service The record-priced tuna was quickly processed for customers at the winner's sushi restaurants immediately after the auction concluded. "I believe like I've started the year in a positive way after eating something so lucky as the year starts," shared one satisfied customer.