Seafood caught off the coast of Fukushima Prefecture was traded at Tokyo's Tsukiji fish market Thursday for the first time since last year's nuclear disaster.
The world's biggest wholesale fish and seafood market auctioned octopus catches from the prefecture that have been certified to be free of radioactive contamination from the Fukushima No. 1 plant. Fishermen resumed operations on a trial basis in June.
Octopi caught Monday off the city of Soma sold for about 20 percent higher than usual amid a festive atmosphere. Their cases bore certificates guaranteeing the produce is not contaminated with any radioactive substances.
"The certificate has dispelled any concerns (about food safety). I will sell them with a great degree of confidence," said Toru Onozuka, a wholesaler who bought 25 kg of the seafood.