🔗 Share this article Bluefin Fish Fetches Historic Price of $3.2m at Japanese Capital New Year Sale The 'Tuna King' is a regular participant at the annual sale. A bulky bluefin tuna created waves at the Tokyo's Toyosu fish market this Monday, securing a historic bid of 510.3 million yen ($3.2 million; £2.4m) during the venue's opening auction of the new year. The top offer for the 535-pound fish was placed by the company of a nationwide sushi restaurant group, which operates restaurants across the country and overseas. "An inaugural tuna brings good luck," commented the business owner, a familiar participant at the annual first sale. Known as the Tuna Tycoon, this businessman is noted for submitting substantial bids for premium bluefin tuna at these symbolic year-opening auctions. Bidding Shock and Historic Precedent 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 at a lower price, but the price escalated rapidly." This latest purchase exceeds his own record purchases: He secured a tuna for 56.5 million yen away in 2012. He bid 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 gone on to shatter his personal record another time. A Tradition of High Prices The first auction at the Tokyo fish market is traditionally associated with sky-high prices. Last year, the initial tuna was acquired for 207 million yen by another sushi chain operator, which indicated the fish would be served at its restaurants nationwide. The intense activity at the fish market during these pre-dawn auctions has transformed into a must-see tourist attraction in Tokyo. Monday's auction, which started around 05:00 local time, was no exception. Swift Service The record-priced tuna was promptly prepared for diners at the winner's sushi restaurants shortly after the auction concluded. "I believe like I've begun the year in a positive way after consuming something so fortune-bringing as the year begins," remarked one satisfied customer.
The 'Tuna King' is a regular participant at the annual sale. A bulky bluefin tuna created waves at the Tokyo's Toyosu fish market this Monday, securing a historic bid of 510.3 million yen ($3.2 million; £2.4m) during the venue's opening auction of the new year. The top offer for the 535-pound fish was placed by the company of a nationwide sushi restaurant group, which operates restaurants across the country and overseas. "An inaugural tuna brings good luck," commented the business owner, a familiar participant at the annual first sale. Known as the Tuna Tycoon, this businessman is noted for submitting substantial bids for premium bluefin tuna at these symbolic year-opening auctions. Bidding Shock and Historic Precedent 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 at a lower price, but the price escalated rapidly." This latest purchase exceeds his own record purchases: He secured a tuna for 56.5 million yen away in 2012. He bid 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 gone on to shatter his personal record another time. A Tradition of High Prices The first auction at the Tokyo fish market is traditionally associated with sky-high prices. Last year, the initial tuna was acquired for 207 million yen by another sushi chain operator, which indicated the fish would be served at its restaurants nationwide. The intense activity at the fish market during these pre-dawn auctions has transformed into a must-see tourist attraction in Tokyo. Monday's auction, which started around 05:00 local time, was no exception. Swift Service The record-priced tuna was promptly prepared for diners at the winner's sushi restaurants shortly after the auction concluded. "I believe like I've begun the year in a positive way after consuming something so fortune-bringing as the year begins," remarked one satisfied customer.