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

Jun 02, 2025 | News On Japan

HOKKAIDO, Jun 02, 2025 (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

Record Rain Triggers Level 5 Warning in Fukui

Record rainfall caused 19 rivers to overflow across Fukui Prefecture, flooding roads and homes, triggering landslides and temporarily forcing authorities to issue the highest-level heavy rain emergency warning from early Sunday morning.

Drones Deliver Supplies to Residents Cut Off by Landslide

Drones were used to deliver food and daily necessities to an isolated mountain community in Himi City, Toyama Prefecture, on August 30 after torrential rain triggered a landslide that cut off road access, while volunteers continued flood recovery work in neighboring Ishikawa Prefecture.

Typhoon No. 23 Overtakes No. 22 East of Japan as Both Head North

Two typhoons east of Japan were moving northward on August 30, with Typhoon No. 23 (Banlan) overtaking Typhoon No. 22 (Artau), although neither storm is expected to have a direct impact on Japan.

Nine-Minute Drone Video Shows Scale of Aeon Mall Damage

A 9-minute, 13-second drone video filmed inside Aeon Mall Kumamoto two days after the deadly explosion has provided a detailed view of the destruction, showing collapsed ceilings, heavy dust and widespread damage that may have affected between one-third and nearly half of the shopping center.

Conditions Ease as Typhoon No. 18 Passes Okinawa

Strong Typhoon No. 18 was moving northwest through the East China Sea on the night of August 26, gradually pulling away from Okinawa and the Amami Islands as lingering rain, strong winds and high waves were expected to ease. As of 9 p.m. on August 26, the typhoon was over waters north-northwest of Kume Island and moving northwest.

MEDIA CHANNELS

MORE Food NEWS

Edo-Tokyo Vegetables Face Extinction

Traditional vegetables cultivated in Tokyo for generations are facing a growing threat from extreme heat and a shortage of farmers willing to carry on their cultivation, with some growers reporting that seeds are failing to germinate or young plants are dying in increasingly severe summer temperatures.

Asahi Ponzu Production Halted as Sudachi Shortage Deepens

Production of Asahi Ponzu, a popular seasoning that has been a fixture on Kansai dining tables for decades, has been suspended for the first time in the product's roughly 60-year history as a severe shortage of sudachi citrus exposes a deepening crisis in Tokushima Prefecture, which accounts for 98% of Japan's shipments.

Shinjuku's Best-Value Steak Grill

Gutsu Grill Shinjuku has been serving hearty, affordable steak in Nishi-Shinjuku since 1999, attracting crowds with generous portions and a menu built around value for money. The 44-seat restaurant regularly fills up at lunchtime, with customers praising its tender meat, large servings and reasonable prices.

Lawson to Cut Onigiri Prices by 10 Yen

Lawson plans to cut prices on its main line of onigiri rice balls by 10 yen from September 29 as falling rice prices begin to feed through to retail costs.

Asian Games Reveals Meals for Athletes

Athletes competing in the Asian Games will be served around 370 dishes ranging from Asian-style curries and chicken dishes to Nagoya specialties such as chicken wings and kishimen noodles, with menus also designed to accommodate religious and dietary requirements.