Jan 05 (NHK) - The auction bell at Tokyo's wholesale food market in Toyosu rang for the first time this year on Sunday. A wholesalers' representative said he hopes for a prosperous year with many blue fin tuna up for auction.
The lively auction began shortly after 5:00 a.m.
A 276-kilogram blue fin tuna caught in Japan's northern prefecture of Aomori fetched 193 million yen, or about 1.8 million dollars. It was the second highest price in history following one recorded last year.
The successful bidder was the head of a sushi restaurant chain headquartered in Tsukiji, Tokyo.
President of the chain Kiyoshi Kimura said it was expensive but he is glad to get it because it is the first new year auction in the new era, Reiwa.
He added that now his restaurants can serve the best tuna to customers.
Source: ANNnewsCH
