đź”— Share this article Pacific Bluefin Fish Fetches Record Bid of 3.2 million dollars at Japanese Capital New Year Sale A familiar auction figure is a regular presence at the annual sale. A substantial Pacific bluefin tuna made headlines at the Tokyo's Toyosu fish market this Monday, garnering a record-breaking bid of 510.3 million yen (3.2 million US dollars; ÂŁ2.4m) during the market's opening auction of the new year. The winning bid for the 243kg fish came from the operator of a nationwide sushi chain, which runs locations domestically and abroad. "An inaugural tuna brings good luck," stated the business owner, a notable figure at the annual January sale. Known as the King of Tuna, this businessman is renowned for placing record bids for premium bluefin tuna at these symbolic new year auctions. Auction Shock and Historic Past After the auction, the winner admitted to journalists that he was "astonished at the amount," noting, "I believed we would be able to buy it a little cheaper, but the price soared before you knew it." This new acquisition exceeds his previous record purchases: He paid 56.5 million yen back in 2012. He bid 155 million yen in 2013. In 2019, he acquired a tuna for 333.6 million yen (2.1 million dollars). Despite previously saying that he thought he "overdid it," he has now proceeded to break his own record once again. An Annual Spectacle of High Prices The first auction at the Toyosu fish market is notoriously known for exorbitant prices. Last year, the initial tuna was acquired for 207 million yen by a separate food company, which announced the fish would be available at its eateries nationwide. The high-energy activity at the fish market during these pre-sunrise auctions has evolved into a must-see tourist attraction in Tokyo. Monday's auction, which commenced around 05:00 local time, was no exception. Swift Service The multi-million-dollar tuna was quickly processed for diners at the entrepreneur's sushi establishments soon after the auction was finished. "I feel like I've commenced the year in a auspicious way after eating something so auspicious as the year gets underway," remarked one satisfied diner.
A familiar auction figure is a regular presence at the annual sale. A substantial Pacific bluefin tuna made headlines at the Tokyo's Toyosu fish market this Monday, garnering a record-breaking bid of 510.3 million yen (3.2 million US dollars; ÂŁ2.4m) during the market's opening auction of the new year. The winning bid for the 243kg fish came from the operator of a nationwide sushi chain, which runs locations domestically and abroad. "An inaugural tuna brings good luck," stated the business owner, a notable figure at the annual January sale. Known as the King of Tuna, this businessman is renowned for placing record bids for premium bluefin tuna at these symbolic new year auctions. Auction Shock and Historic Past After the auction, the winner admitted to journalists that he was "astonished at the amount," noting, "I believed we would be able to buy it a little cheaper, but the price soared before you knew it." This new acquisition exceeds his previous record purchases: He paid 56.5 million yen back in 2012. He bid 155 million yen in 2013. In 2019, he acquired a tuna for 333.6 million yen (2.1 million dollars). Despite previously saying that he thought he "overdid it," he has now proceeded to break his own record once again. An Annual Spectacle of High Prices The first auction at the Toyosu fish market is notoriously known for exorbitant prices. Last year, the initial tuna was acquired for 207 million yen by a separate food company, which announced the fish would be available at its eateries nationwide. The high-energy activity at the fish market during these pre-sunrise auctions has evolved into a must-see tourist attraction in Tokyo. Monday's auction, which commenced around 05:00 local time, was no exception. Swift Service The multi-million-dollar tuna was quickly processed for diners at the entrepreneur's sushi establishments soon after the auction was finished. "I feel like I've commenced the year in a auspicious way after eating something so auspicious as the year gets underway," remarked one satisfied diner.