Tea leaves auction for record ¥1.96 mil

Addfwyn

I never see news along the same lines so I honestly don't know, but do any other countries do the whole "First X of the year" selling for an exorbitant price? Or is it just an advertising line used here?

I don't know anything similar in other countries, but here in Japan, First Auction of Year (for Farming and Fishing industries) is done as a ceremonial and festival ritual combined with advertisement for its industry.

Once a year, each industry (and often at each local site), this event occurs involving:

Prayer offering by a Shinto Priest for Thanks Giving and safety and prosperity of the people in the industry (fishermen, farmers, traders) and locals.(http://www.takamatsuseika.co.jp/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/P1020847.jpg)

High price at the Auction generates a festive mood for the industry to kick start its related businesses at the beginning of the year.

High price at the Auction makes news at large, helping the industry as a whole as well as those individuals or companies who offered the best product and offer.

Money offered at the Auction is considered Oshugi (お祝儀), or "Donation to Celebrate the industry".

It's not buying an expensive fish or fruit or tea.

his is the same as with fuits and veges in Japan, instead of this idiotic prices that always make it to the news it would be nice to be able to buy fruits at a normal price, apples in my local discount store are 199 a piece the cheapest, Kiwis 120.... Japan just loves this crapy auction news, like melons form Hokkaido, that's like growing oranges on Spitzbergen....

Don't like it..

Don't buy it..

Kepp buying your cheap fruit..

Lol!!

I love tea.

I never see news along the same lines so I honestly don't know, but do any other countries do the whole "First X of the year" selling for an exorbitant price? Or is it just an advertising line used here?

his is the same as with fuits and veges in Japan, instead of this idiotic prices that always make it to the news it would be nice to be able to buy fruits at a normal price, apples in my local discount store are 199 a piece the cheapest, Kiwis 120.... Japan just loves this crapy auction news, like melons form Hokkaido, that's like growing oranges on Spitzbergen....