🔗 Share this article Pacific Bluefin Fish Commands Record Bid of $3.2 million at Japanese Capital Auction The winning bidder is a prominent participant at the yearly sale. A massive Pacific bluefin tuna made headlines at the Tokyo's Toyosu fish market this Monday, securing a record-breaking bid of 510.3 million yen ($3.2 million; £2.4m) during the venue's inaugural auction of the year. The successful bid for the 243-kilogram fish came from the company of a nationwide sushi chain, which operates locations throughout Japan and internationally. "The year's tuna brings good luck," remarked the entrepreneur, a familiar bidder at the yearly January sale. Known as the King of Tuna, this industry figure is renowned for placing high bids for bluefin tuna at these high-profile new year auctions. Bidding Surprise and Record-Setting Past Following the auction, the winner informed journalists that he was "taken aback at the winning bid," adding, "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 notable purchases: He secured a tuna for 56.5 million yen back in 2012. He spent 155 million yen the following year. In 2019, he acquired a tuna for 333.6 million yen ($2.1m). Even after once saying that he thought he "bid too high," he has now proceeded to shatter his personal record once again. A Tradition of Exorbitant Bids The first auction at the Tokyo fish market is traditionally characterized by sky-high prices. The previous year, the first tuna was acquired for 207 million yen by a different food company, which announced the fish would be featured at its eateries across Japan. The intense atmosphere at the fish market during these pre-sunrise auctions has become a major spectacle in Tokyo. Monday's auction, which commenced around 05:00 local time, was equally bustling. From Auction to Plate The record-priced tuna was quickly processed for diners at the winner's sushi establishments shortly after the auction ended. "I believe like I've started the year in a auspicious way after consuming something so auspicious as the year starts," shared one satisfied diner.
The winning bidder is a prominent participant at the yearly sale. A massive Pacific bluefin tuna made headlines at the Tokyo's Toyosu fish market this Monday, securing a record-breaking bid of 510.3 million yen ($3.2 million; £2.4m) during the venue's inaugural auction of the year. The successful bid for the 243-kilogram fish came from the company of a nationwide sushi chain, which operates locations throughout Japan and internationally. "The year's tuna brings good luck," remarked the entrepreneur, a familiar bidder at the yearly January sale. Known as the King of Tuna, this industry figure is renowned for placing high bids for bluefin tuna at these high-profile new year auctions. Bidding Surprise and Record-Setting Past Following the auction, the winner informed journalists that he was "taken aback at the winning bid," adding, "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 notable purchases: He secured a tuna for 56.5 million yen back in 2012. He spent 155 million yen the following year. In 2019, he acquired a tuna for 333.6 million yen ($2.1m). Even after once saying that he thought he "bid too high," he has now proceeded to shatter his personal record once again. A Tradition of Exorbitant Bids The first auction at the Tokyo fish market is traditionally characterized by sky-high prices. The previous year, the first tuna was acquired for 207 million yen by a different food company, which announced the fish would be featured at its eateries across Japan. The intense atmosphere at the fish market during these pre-sunrise auctions has become a major spectacle in Tokyo. Monday's auction, which commenced around 05:00 local time, was equally bustling. From Auction to Plate The record-priced tuna was quickly processed for diners at the winner's sushi establishments shortly after the auction ended. "I believe like I've started the year in a auspicious way after consuming something so auspicious as the year starts," shared one satisfied diner.