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Snow crab fetches record ¥5 mil at auction in Tottori

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i think it's worth it, they have done this to fruits and vegetables also.

It's just money, if they can afford it then why not

0 ( +0 / -0 )

@zichi - 5,000 for a Spider crab in Japan (is okay, I guess, depends upon where you buy it) but ... 5,000,000 for a Crab .... that's a big difference.

Would rather take the Family off to Thailand and have a 1st class trip with 1st class dining upon Crab, in smaller portions, etc. there for 5,000,000 yen than spend that amount here. Jeepers, I'd probably get a whole Summer Vacation period there being pampered like a Pharaoh there for that amount!

Nearly 40K US$ for a not so big, "Crab" ! I'd get more enjoyment from a Tesla over a longer period of time. Or, if you're so inclined, think about the number of times you could visit Soap land (practically a year's worth of happiness!)... I guess the world has lost track of the value of things.

But the Saddest part of this story is what is not being told... that of Japanese People who have Nothing. We hear so much about how the Japan Population is dying out, yet no one asks an "Extinction Rebellion" question-like "Why" ?

Japan, is like a Biblical story unfolding, baring the plague of Locus.

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

It seems to be all about drawing attention to the shop that bought it.

Their Bankers must be worrying though...

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Chip StarToday  05:48 am JST

It's acceptible because it's just a marketing ploy. Anyone who thinks that the average Japanese person is "impressed' or "admires" these insane prices must not be aware of how they are reacting to a mere 2% increase in sales tax. Just because it's in the news and the media makes a big show of it, it doesn't mean that the average person in Japan doesn't think it's ridiculous.

Someone clearly doesn't live in Japan or around a large group of "real" Japanese people.

Yes you. And if you're in Japan try lowering that gaijin wall you put up. Might learn something.

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

There are some things about Japan I will never understand......

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Ill take a "King Crab" over this any day! They have more meat and are just as tasty as snow crab!

Flipping the shell over, with the kani-miso, pouring in some decent nihon-shu and let them cook together!

Hmmm... 4.2 kg for about 1/10th of the price!

.https://www.shunnosachi.jp/fs/shun/c/taraba_rei_gr

-3 ( +0 / -3 )

thepersoniamnowToday  07:59 am JST

Since 1981

You don’t know anyone who has ¥5000 to spend??

Dude, don’t blame the world...

Not blaming the world. Was wondering if he is actually living in Japan and is offering opinion based on actually living in Japan as I am.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Since 1981

You don’t know anyone who has ¥5000 to spend??

Dude, don’t blame the world...

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Ganbare Japan!Nov. 7  06:50 pm JST

Amazing price! The record price is further proof that the economy is really booming. I cant imagine any other countries would be selling crab for a higher price.

I wish I could sample that crab at a banquet. The taste must be absolutely out of this world!

Exactly which country are you living in?

Could also mean the rich are getting richer and the poor are getting poor. This is closer to reality! I do not personally know anyone that doesn't even have the money to pay 5,000 yen of quality crab.

0 ( +2 / -2 )

One should understand that to become a fisherman in Japan, let alone to catch natural resources in the sea, is not an easy job. There is too much rules and restrictions. This is the reason why sometimes prices of some ceremonial catch or produce becomes so astronomically high.

In most of Japan, YOU CANNOT JUST CATCH CRAB or anything out there in the sea. if you are not a licensed fisherman, or a fisherman trainee recognized by legal fishermen village association, by law (which remained unchanged since Edo Period 1603-1869), you are only allowed to catch fish in the sea using your bare hands. Many localities, at present time though, allowed single-hook rod, as "free-fishing" for everybody, but on designated places only. Everything will regulated by the local fishermen association and the prefectural fisheries authority.

More INFORMATION in this site:

https://soranews24.com/2019/10/25/our-reporter-gets-yelled-at-for-swiping-seaweed-learns-all-about-japans-fishery-rights/

-2 ( +0 / -2 )

Keep in mind folks, this gets a hell of a lot more commentary here than in the "real" Japanese media!

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

I meant the right!

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Love the necktie on the guy on the left.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

It's acceptible because it's just a marketing ploy. Anyone who thinks that the average Japanese person is "impressed' or "admires" these insane prices must not be aware of how they are reacting to a mere 2% increase in sales tax. Just because it's in the news and the media makes a big show of it, it doesn't mean that the average person in Japan doesn't think it's ridiculous.

Someone clearly doesn't live in Japan or around a large group of "real" Japanese people.

1 ( +2 / -1 )

tells you how much these seafood companies are ripping off the people.

3 ( +3 / -0 )

Publicity stunt. It worked. Got noticed here and elsewhere.

4 ( +4 / -0 )

This in one of many things on a long list that makes Japan look ridiculous. I love the country in general, but it's things like this that diminish the society.

1 ( +3 / -2 )

The record price is further proof that the economy is really booming.

Why???

I wish I could sample that crab at a banquet. The taste must be absolutely out of this world!

Why???

2 ( +2 / -0 )

The record price is further proof that the economy is really booming.

Why???

I wish I could sample that crab at a banquet. The taste must be absolutely out of this world!

Why???

2 ( +2 / -0 )

Yeah, but does it taste like ¥5 mil. crab?

1 ( +2 / -1 )

Could never figure out how this kind of pretentiousness is acceptable - admired even, in a society that supposedly appreciates modesty so much.

I love Japan but I don't think the simple narratives we always hear in documentaries on Japan go very far below the surface. I don't think any country that is truly modest would claim their hospitality is so outstanding that it must be referred to as omotenashi, because the common or garden concept of "hospitality" does not suffice. Most Japanese people seem to think the Rugby World Cup that's just finished was the best ever. It may have been, but that is not a judgement people who never watched a rugby match until four years ago at the earliest (was the Brighton game even on regular tv?) have the authority to make. It is certainly not a modest judgement.

So documentaries may tell you that Japanese are deeply spiritual, modest, selfless, polite, and a hundred other things, but let us all observe and come to our own conclusions.

4 ( +4 / -0 )

Snow crab fetches record ¥5 mil

Snow crabs around the world are laughing their asses off!

I've said it before, lol, and I'll say it again -

Something is worth whatever someone is willing to pay for it.

2 ( +3 / -1 )

sensei258Today  06:37 pm JST

If you watch Deadliest Catch, You know that a crab like that with barnacles all over it would be considered 'dirty' and would fetch a much lower price.

Show me a crab from "The Deadliest Catch" with no barnacles that sold for anywhere near this one in the article with barnacles...LOL.

yokohamaridesToday  08:29 pm JST

Could never figure out how this kind of pretentiousness is acceptable - admired even, in a society that supposedly appreciates modesty so much.

It's acceptible because it's just a marketing ploy. Anyone who thinks that the average Japanese person is "impressed' or "admires" these insane prices must not be aware of how they are reacting to a mere 2% increase in sales tax. Just because it's in the news and the media makes a big show of it, it doesn't mean that the average person in Japan doesn't think it's ridiculous.

3 ( +5 / -2 )

Could never figure out how this kind of pretentiousness is acceptable - admired even, in a society that supposedly appreciates modesty so much.

-1 ( +2 / -3 )

*Don't know where you get the idea that "this is impressive to the average Japanese person". *How many people in all of Japan dine at high end Ginza restaurants?

Only the fat politicians.

1 ( +3 / -2 )

"I believe it is a good crab filled with meat."

I can't imagine it being filled with anything else.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

To all of you declaring this is ludacris to your minds...this is advertising done Japanese style.

Obviously these crabs and mangos and peaches aren’t worth tens of thousands of dollars.

But the guys who win the bids become famous and their companies and businesses too.

6 ( +7 / -1 )

He would have paid only very slightly more for an equal weight of 24 karat gold

2 ( +2 / -0 )

Two thoughts, one is , like, wtf, who in their right mind is going to pay THAT much for a crab! Then SELL the damn thing to a restaurant in Ginza! (I wonder what he is going to charge THEM for the crab!)

Second...Just because something costs a lot, does not guarantee that it will taste good, but I will bet that even if it tastes like guano the people who eat it will ooh and ahh about how great it is! Meaning that just because folks have money to burn, does not mean they have any "taste".

Rather see them put the crab in a tank and let it grow to a ripe old age!

-5 ( +1 / -6 )

Amazing price! The record price is further proof that the economy is really booming. I cant imagine any other countries would be selling crab for a higher price.

I wish I could sample that crab at a banquet. The taste must be absolutely out of this world!

-11 ( +3 / -14 )

@sensei258

Its "made in Japan" so it naturally fetches a well above market value in Japan.

0 ( +2 / -2 )

If you watch Deadliest Catch, You know that a crab like that with barnacles all over it would be considered 'dirty' and would fetch a much lower price.

0 ( +2 / -2 )

This is the cost of getting into the Guinness World Records, an international form of advertising. And it's nice to know that there are still people with lots of money.

6 ( +7 / -1 )

gogogoToday  06:19 pm JST

Its not even clean, all the parasites on the crabs back!

They are barnacles, not parasites. Snow crabs lose them after each molt.

-1 ( +2 / -3 )

People always miss the point with these 'auctions'. We see it annually with tuna and melons as well as crab now - the purchaser is buying nationwide multimedia advertising. He's making himself into the number one supplier of premium quality crab.

Most of us know that 'premium quality' products are loved in Japan, and regardless of whether things are actually better quality or not, businesses and restaurants jack up the prices whenever they can claim something is premium quality.

This guy is making sure all the rest of the crabs he sells are also premium by association.

12 ( +12 / -0 )

Its not even clean, all the parasites on the crabs back!

0 ( +1 / -1 )

Not my money, not my crab, not my business.

8 ( +8 / -0 )

Is this some kind of scam?

0 ( +2 / -2 )

But, i don't like seafood.

-3 ( +1 / -4 )

Chip StarToday  04:49 pm JST

Unreasonable and ridiculous, like a million yen cantaloupe. The fact that this is impressive to the average Japanese person speaks volumes.

Don't know where you get the idea that "this is impressive to the average Japanese person". How many people in all of Japan dine at high end Ginza restaurants?

7 ( +10 / -3 )

It's advertisement. The one who outbids everyone is covered by news like this and their restaurant's name will be televised on premium time on all channels. It's a lot cheaper then to buy commercial time actually.

Exactly. I am surprised people here still throw a fit over these auctions.

15 ( +15 / -0 )

5 mill yen a crab! Holy Crab! LOL!

0 ( +0 / -0 )

It's advertisement. The one who outbids everyone is covered by news like this and their restaurant's name will be televised on premium time on all channels. It's a lot cheaper then to buy commercial time actually.

15 ( +16 / -1 )

How about 5 million for that crab necktie?

0 ( +0 / -0 )

£35.600 for a crab! are they insane??

"To prevent overfishing, fishing operators will have more holidays this season and avoid catching small crabs, the prefecture said."

another way to deter fishermen taking more than they should is to have stricken quoters, and any one in breach of the quoter will be heavily fined, so much it would make them think its just not worth it, this could be observed by the ministry of fisheries and the port/dock auctioneers.

1 ( +2 / -1 )

Unreasonable and ridiculous, like a million yen cantaloupe. The fact that this is impressive to the average Japanese person speaks volumes.

-4 ( +10 / -14 )

"I believe it is a good crab filled with meat."

At over 40 grand a kilo it would want to be unbelievably exquisite crab. How ridiculously absurd!

9 ( +10 / -1 )

The successful bidder was local crab seller Kanemasa Hamashita Shoten. It paid 2 million yen at last year's first auction for an Itsukiboshi crab. The bid price at the time was recognized by the Guinness World Records as the highest ever for a crab.

So what I'm hearing is the same guy outbid himself a year later and paid more than twice what he paid last year?

I can't attach that kind of value to a crab. Congratulations to him. Wonder what he will pay next year.

7 ( +7 / -0 )

Crab!!

i gotta join the crab buying business if there is that much money to throw round!

7 ( +7 / -0 )

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