The huge pink monument with its tentacles outstretched was unveiled in March by the coastal town of Noto in central Japan as a proud nod to its local delicacy AFP/HandoutTOKYO: A remote Japanese fishing town has sparked debate after spending coronavirus relief funds on a giant squid statue that cost nearly US$250,000 in a controversial bid to boost post-pandemic tourism.
Despite online debate over the merits of the public spending, local officials said they hoped the installation at a roadside rest stop would pique travellers' interest at home and abroad. Many people came to see the 13m monument this week during a series of public holidays, the official said, with children playing on it and adults taking quirky pictures for social media.READ: Japan's unused 14 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines point to logistical hurdles"This is too surreal. What is also unclear is why this qualified for the grant," one Twitter user wrote in Japanese.
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