The bluefin tuna that was caught off Oma, Aomori Prefecture, and fetched the highest bidding price at the first auction of the year is revealed to the media in Tokyo's Koto Ward on Jan. 5, 2022. (Mainichi/Natsuki Nishi)

       TOKYO -- The most expensive bluefin tuna fetched 16.88 million yen (about $145,000) in the first auction of 2022 at Toyosu market in the capital's Koto Ward early on the morning of Jan. 5.

       The 211-kilogram tuna was caught off the northern Japan town of Oma, Aomori Prefecture, and the price was equivalent to 80,000 yen (approx. $690) per kilogram.

       Entry to the auction venue was restricted as a measure to prevent coronavirus infections for the second year in a row. The auction began at the sound of a bell following a hand-clapping ceremony by affiliated people as part of prayers for a thriving market this year.

       The successful bid for the priciest tuna was made jointly by intermediate wholesaler Yamayuki and restaurant operator Onodera Group, whose eateries include Ginza Onodera.

       Onodera Food Service Co. President Shinji Nagao commented, "We hope to energize the restaurant industry, which has been downbeat amid the coronavirus pandemic."

       The record-high bluefin tuna price at celebratory first auctions in the past was 333.6 million yen (roughly $2.88 million), bid in 2019 by Tokyo's Chuo Ward-based Kiyomura Corp., the operator of major sushi restaurant chain Sushizanmai. That price was equivalent to 1.2 million yen (about $10,000) per kilogram.

       (Japanese original by Natsuki Nishi, Photo Group)

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