first auctions of the year at fish markets

First auctions of the year were held at many fish markets all over Japan.

A Big bluefin tuna was sold for 56.49 million yen at this year's first auction at Tsukiji fish market in Tokyo on the morning of January 5th. The tuna was from Oma, Aomori Prefecture, and weighed 269 kilograms.
A sushi restaurant chain based in Tsukiji made a successful bid for the tuna, but the chain will serve sushi from that tuna at the regular price.
Firstlings fetch a high price in Japan.

At last year's first auction of Tsukiji, a fancy sushi restaurant in Ginza and a sushi restaurant chain based in Hong Kong mounted joint bid for a tuna. They paid 32.49 million yen for the tuna. The tuna was from Toi, Hokkaido, and weighed 342 kilograms.

On January 4th, this year's first auction of tiger puffers was held in Shimonoseki City, Yamaguchi prefecture and that of yellowtails was done in Himi City, Toyama Prefecture.
Also at fish markets in some tsunami-hit areas such as Kesennuma and Ofunato, fish auctions were held on the day.