A Hong Kong sushi shop paid a record $55,700 for a bluefin tuna today in the first auction of 2008 at the Tokyo's Tsukiji fish market, Agence France-Presse reported.

The 276-kilogram (607-pound) tuna was sold for 22,000 yen ($202) a kilogram, AFP said, citing an official at the fish market whom it didn't identify and local media reports. The purchase price was a record for Japan, the report said, citing the official.

Local media reported that the owner of a Hong Kong-based chain of sushi restaurants made the highest bid, AFP said. (By Ron Harui)