Traders at Tokyo’s Toyosu wholesale market held the first auction of 2022 on Wednesday.
Attendance at the annual event was limited for the second year in a row, as a precaution against the coronavirus.
A wholesaler made a few comments ahead of the tuna auction. He said that people in the industry will overcome the tough business conditions brought on by the pandemic. He also vowed to serve customers professionally.
The attendees prayed for prosperity during the year, before the bidding started.
The auction floor began buzzing with activity when the bell rang shortly after 5 a.m. Bids were made for raw and frozen tuna from across Japan and around the world.
The top item was a 211-kilogram bluefin from Oma. The town is located in the northern prefecture of Aomori. A market trader bought the fish for 16.88 million yen, or around 145,000 dollars.
