đź”— Share this article Pacific Bluefin Tuna Fetches Record Price of 3.2 million dollars at Japanese Capital New Year Sale The 'Tuna King' is a regular participant at the annual bidding war. 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 US dollars; ÂŁ2.4m) during the market's first auction of the calendar year. The successful bid for the 243kg fish was placed by the parent firm of a well-known sushi restaurant group, which operates outlets throughout Japan and overseas. "An inaugural tuna signals fortune," remarked the company president, a regular figure at the annual January sale. Referred to as the Tuna King, this industry figure is renowned for making substantial bids for bluefin tuna at these symbolic new year auctions. Auction Shock and Record-Setting Past Following the auction, the winner informed reporters that he was "surprised at the winning bid," noting, "I had thought we would be able to acquire it a little for less, but the price soared rapidly." This latest acquisition exceeds his previous notable purchases: He bid 56.5 million yen away in 2012. He bid 155 million yen in 2013. In 2019, he purchased a tuna for 333.6 million yen (2.1 million dollars). Despite previously commenting that he thought he "bid too high," he has now proceeded to surpass his own record another time. An Annual Spectacle of High Prices The first auction at the Tokyo fish market is traditionally known for exorbitant prices. Last year, the initial tuna was acquired for 207 million yen by a different culinary group, which indicated the fish would be served at its restaurants throughout the country. The intense energy at the fish market during these early morning auctions has become a major tourist attraction in Tokyo. Monday's auction, which started around 05:00 local time, was no exception. Immediate Consumption The record-priced tuna was promptly prepared for patrons at the bidder's sushi restaurants soon after the auction concluded. "I feel like I've commenced the year in a positive way after tasting something so auspicious as the year begins," remarked one happy diner.
The 'Tuna King' is a regular participant at the annual bidding war. 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 US dollars; ÂŁ2.4m) during the market's first auction of the calendar year. The successful bid for the 243kg fish was placed by the parent firm of a well-known sushi restaurant group, which operates outlets throughout Japan and overseas. "An inaugural tuna signals fortune," remarked the company president, a regular figure at the annual January sale. Referred to as the Tuna King, this industry figure is renowned for making substantial bids for bluefin tuna at these symbolic new year auctions. Auction Shock and Record-Setting Past Following the auction, the winner informed reporters that he was "surprised at the winning bid," noting, "I had thought we would be able to acquire it a little for less, but the price soared rapidly." This latest acquisition exceeds his previous notable purchases: He bid 56.5 million yen away in 2012. He bid 155 million yen in 2013. In 2019, he purchased a tuna for 333.6 million yen (2.1 million dollars). Despite previously commenting that he thought he "bid too high," he has now proceeded to surpass his own record another time. An Annual Spectacle of High Prices The first auction at the Tokyo fish market is traditionally known for exorbitant prices. Last year, the initial tuna was acquired for 207 million yen by a different culinary group, which indicated the fish would be served at its restaurants throughout the country. The intense energy at the fish market during these early morning auctions has become a major tourist attraction in Tokyo. Monday's auction, which started around 05:00 local time, was no exception. Immediate Consumption The record-priced tuna was promptly prepared for patrons at the bidder's sushi restaurants soon after the auction concluded. "I feel like I've commenced the year in a positive way after tasting something so auspicious as the year begins," remarked one happy diner.