Pair of Hokkaido melons fetch record ¥5 mil at season's 1st auction

Unless they have Harry Winston diamonds in them they taste no different to melons imported from the Philippians.

"As our company was founded in Sapporo, I had been thinking there must be something I can do for Hokkaido," said President Yoshihiro Iwata, 57.

How does this quantify as doing something for Hokkaido? The money is pocketed by the grower and does not benefit Hokkaido prefecture at all. All the ridiculous amount of money corporations pay for fruits in Japan should be donated to either orphans or the elderly.

Amazing! I wish I could afford to pay 5 Million yen for these Yubari Melons. Their taste would be indescribable, simply out of this world!

Yet another price record broken = further proof the economy is doing nicely.

Lovely pair of melons.

Ganbare Japan - Yet another price record broken = further proof the economy is doing nicely.

You base your opinion of the Japanese economy solely on the sale of two melons? Unbelievable!

This year's first melon trading is the reason for the high price.

That is the so-called festive price.

And taste is exactly the same as the 1000yen melons I bought today.

I am very rich but this is ridiculous!

Many people miss the point about these auctions every year.

“Pokka Sapporo Food & Beverage Ltd, said it decided to make a bid in the auction for the first time as part of the celebrations for the 10th anniversary of the release of its melon-flavored soda water”

They’ve paid 5 million yen and received national and possibly international coverage of their company as well as advertising for their new product. That’s actually pretty cheap.

Of course, if it was just an ordinary member of the public paying 5m for two melons that would be insane - but it’s (almost always) a very clever investment in media coverage and advertising.

Lovely pair of melons.

Exactly my thoughts

@Wakarimasen - Lovely pair of melons.

Just imagine how many equally as good or better pairs of melons you could buy with 50 grand.

Obscene IMO, people needing medical procedures, or not enough to eat, would benefit from 5 million yen.

I am very rich but this is ridiculous!

Truly rich people NEVER say or write that they are. Is that you Trumpy?

That's gonna make some expensive crap !

I'm in the wrong business

How does this quantify as doing something for Hokkaido? The money is pocketed by the grower and does not benefit Hokkaido prefecture at all.

In Japanese news he said "I am grateful for melon growers and wanted to do something for them."

Exactly HBJ.

Now that farmer will sell at higher rate at supermarket. Ordinary person might think if someone paid 5 millions then it must be very good and worth to pay few thousand extra.

Tax deductions and marketing bliss. Hence, five millions yen.

What HBJ and Patricia Yarrow said.

I can understand the buyer’s sentiments without being in agreement.

Anyone visiting Yubari will find a town that is barely clinging to life.

Tax deductions and marketing bliss. Hence, five millions yen.

5million handed over for the melons , then when everybodies gone home the buyer does an exchange of 5.1 million yen worth of actual everyday melons for the two 5million yen he just bought from the seller. Buyer gets a few extra melons over 5million worth and the seller get priceless free advertising

Yet another price record broken = further proof the economy is doing nicely.

Har!

Lovely pair of melons.

Well, if you put it that way, lol.

And taste is exactly the same as the 1000yen melons I bought today

You paid 1,000 for one melon? I always wait until I can buy a half cut melon so I can see if it's ripe for 398 yen.

That's a crackin' pair of melons.

Nice box, too.

What a ridiculous waste of money. No surprise in form over substance Japan.

Yet another price record broken = further proof the economy is doing nicely.

I'll agree with you on one thing, it's proof that businesses, at least Pokka, is flush in cash. Doesnt mean the overall economy is!

One other thing, records are made to be broken, just ask the guy who owns Hamazushi!

Those things seem to be real, but are they spectacular?

@shogun36 They're bordering on spectacular.