Food

Shock in Hakodate as Opening Squid Auction Canceled Due to Poor Catches

HOKKAIDO, Jun 02 (News On Japan) - In southern Hokkaido, the opening of the surume squid season brought an unprecedented shock as the first auction in Hakodate was canceled due to virtually no catch, leaving local stakeholders deeply unsettled.

The fishing season for surume squid, also known as Japanese flying squid, officially began on June 1st, with 11 vessels setting out from Hakodate. However, the catch was so poor that there was nothing to unload, forcing the fishing fleet to return empty-handed.

As a result, the first auction scheduled for June 2nd at the Hakodate market was called off. Market officials confirmed this was the first time in history that an auction had been canceled due to such poor fishing conditions.

"This is nothing short of disappointing. We can only hope squid will start appearing in time to meet demand, especially with tourist season approaching," said Minoya, an executive at Hakodate Fish Market.

The bleak outlook continued on June 2nd, with all squid-fishing vessels suspending operations in response to the dismal haul.

In fiscal 2024, Hakodate's surume squid haul is expected to total just 400 tons, the second-lowest volume ever recorded following the record low in fiscal 2023.

Prices, however, have surged. At 1,268 yen per kilogram, squid now cost nearly four times as much as they did a decade ago.

Source: 北海道ニュースUHB

Osaka Expo: Water Plaza Likely the Source of Midge Infestation

At the Osaka-Kansai Expo site, a large outbreak of insects has raised concern, with the Expo Association announcing on June 2nd that the source is likely the water features fed by seawater located within the venue.

Payday Chaos in Okinawa: Drunken U.S. Soldiers Flood Streets

A joint patrol was conducted in Okinawa City by local police and the U.S. military over the weekend, the second such operation following a similar patrol in April, as part of efforts to prevent further incidents after a U.S. serviceman was arrested in connection with the assault of a woman.

Shock in Hakodate as Opening Squid Auction Canceled Due to Poor Catches

In southern Hokkaido, the opening of the surume squid season brought an unprecedented shock as the first auction in Hakodate was canceled due to virtually no catch, leaving local stakeholders deeply unsettled.

Japanese Woman Witnesses Crisis in Gaza

A Japanese woman working with Doctors Without Borders has delivered a harrowing account from Gaza, where severe food shortages and relentless Israeli airstrikes have pushed local hospitals and residents to the brink of collapse.

Former Princess Mako Komuro Has First Child in U.S.

Mako Komuro, the eldest daughter of the Akishino family and now living in the United States, has given birth to her first child, the Imperial Household Agency announced on May 30th. The agency stated that the birth was disclosed during a press conference after some media reports surfaced, despite their intention to allow Komuro to live in a quiet environment following her departure from the Imperial family.

MEDIA CHANNELS

MORE Food NEWS

Sushi Showdown Pits Rising Star Against Japan’s Best

A young sushi chef from Kumagaya, Saitama Prefecture, has taken center stage in a nationwide competition to crown Japan’s top conveyor belt sushi artisan. The event, known as the All-Japan Conveyor Belt Sushi MVP Championship, brings together 13 elite chefs from across the country to compete not only in sushi-making technique but also customer service and performance skills.

Matcha Shortage in Kyoto as Tourists Drive Up Demand

Kyoto’s famed tea industry is facing a dramatic shift, as a surge in demand for matcha among foreign tourists is reshaping tea fields and driving up prices. What was once a tranquil green landscape has increasingly been replaced with black sheets used to produce tencha, the base ingredient of matcha.

Where to Buy Cheap Stockpile Rice?

The newly announced price of 1,800 yen per 5 kilograms for low-cost rice has sparked strong interest across the Kansai region, with public agencies and retailers moving quickly to secure supplies amid growing consumer demand for affordable staple foods.

Scallop Prices Surge as Supply Plunges to One-Tenth of Usual Levels

Scallop prices are soaring across Japan as poor harvests send shockwaves through production areas and seafood retailers, with wholesalers and restaurants warning of a prolonged crisis brought on by a string of environmental disasters.

How Japan is Destroying American Restaurants!!

In this video, the host sets out to compare American casual dining staples as prepared in Japan, visiting both Denny's and Red Lobster in Tokyo. (More Best Ever Food Review Show)

Behind the Counter at a Japanese Ramen Yatai Stand

This is behind the counter at a Yatai, traditional Japanese style food cart, called Menya Miyabi. This mobile street food stand just outside of Tokyo at Urawa Misono station is run by an aspiring young man, following in the footsteps of his Father, a ramen master based in Hokkaido. (Paolo fromTOKYO)

$498 Kobe Beef & Lobster Dinner in Tokyo - 5 Star Hotel in Japan

A visit to Teppanyaki Kamon in Imperial Hotel in Tokyo to have a dinner of Kobe beef, lobster, abalone, fish and a few side dishes (Aden Films)

'Fifth Donut Boom' Is Spreading Across Japan

Fukuoka is seeing a surge in new donut shop openings, including the second Krispy Kreme branch set to open on Thursday at Canal City Hakata, as Japan enters what is being called the 'fifth donut boom.'

< 2 3 4 5 >