The first tuna auction of the year at Tokyo's famed Tsukiji market is a competitive event.<br/> <br />Winning the bid for the first fish is believed to bring good luck for the coming year.<br/> <br />Sushi chain owner Kyoshi Kimura had the winning bid on Monday.<br/> <br />It's the third year in a row he gets to take home the prize catch.<br/> <br />(SOUNDBITE) (Japanese) PRESIDENT OF KIYOMURA CO. LTD., KIYOSHI KIMURA, SAYING:<br/> <br />"It's my best day. I'm happy. It's a happy world."<br/> <br />He landed the 180 kilo -- or nearly 400 pound -- blue fin at a bargain 25-thousand yen per kilo -- about a 20 percent discount to last year's price.<br/> <br />Still, that adds up to four-and-a-half million yen -- or about 37-thousand 500 US dollars.<br/> <br />The blue fin is a delicacy known for its tender meat.<br/> <br />Lucky diners at the main outlet of Komura's Suzhi Zanmai restaurant will pay the regular price for a slice of the premium meat.
