We say that while the American economy is in the dumps (heck, even Prez W today admitted that things weren't "too good"), Japan is experiencing something in the way of one of those "bubbles" we all keep talking about. And here is one piece of evidence: A watermelon selling at auction for Y650,000, or in US dollars, $6,100; but not just any watermelon, oh no. A "Densuke" watermelon, grown and auctioned on Japan's northern island of Hokkaido. (Photo - That's the world's most-expensive watermelon; now show some respect!)
And, a pair of cantaloupes which went for (sit down) $23,800. Yes, you read right ...
This is not in the way of saying that Mitsubishi Bank is signing a deal tomorrow to buy Rockefeller Center (again --- the first time they bought and sold it they wound up on the wrong end of a $2 billion loss, and it was the Rockefellers who bought it back), but it's these kind of extravagances, these types of ridiculously-high prices for a fairly common product, which must be causing raised eyebrows around the world.
Is Japan on the verge of once again becoming the world's most vibrant economy? All we can say is ... As gasoline prices rise in this country, and they won't stop until they hit $5 a gallon (perhaps $6 for diesel) sometime before W is shown the "exit" door at the White House, it's Japanese companies which are making the kinds of cars and trucks which Americans are buying. The South Korean company selling in the US with two different product lines, Hyundai and Kia, is gaining in popularity, too. The American public is driving less and roundly rejecting traditional, large trucks of any sort. A Toyota and Honda car model, separately, each outsold the Ford F-series truck in May, and that's the first time in at least 20 years that the F-series has not been at the top of the domestic industry's monthly "best selling" list.
GM is closing four truck plants, and fast, while Ford is about to lay-off 15% of their white-collar (executive,
non-union) employees and Chrysler ... Well, poor old Chrysler is probably not going to be with us much longer, at least not as the company it is today, with the Chrysler, Dodge and Jeep brands. Imagine ... If Daimler had stayed in the game with Chrysler, and not sold-out for a huge loss to Cerberus, all the Smart cars now being sold only at Roger Penske's dealerships would instead be in Chrysler showrooms. Think about that for a moment ... (Photo - 2008 Jeep Commander; Jeep is probably the Chrysler division which will be sold-off first).
So, yeah, $6,100 for a watermelon is good for a giggle, but we have to look deeper ... and the Japanese, judging not only by this example but many others recently recounted in the general interest media, must be feeling pretty good about their economy.
Click below for the news story about the cantaloupes and that watermelon ... (now there's a line you don't read everyday) ...
This is the news story about the enormous prices paid for watermelon and cantaloupes in Japan. (Photo- The price paid for that watermelon is correct ... Y650,000, or about $6,100).
A black jumbo watermelon auctioned in Toma, Hokkaido, fetched a record ¥650,000 Friday, making it the
most expensive watermelon ever sold in Japan — and possibly the world.
The 8-kg premium Densuke watermelon, grown only in Hokkaido, was purchased by a marine products dealer who said he wanted to support local agriculture. The dealer said he plans to resell the fruit in an Internet auction.
In a country where melons are a luxury item commonly given as gifts, the watermelon's hefty sale follows another jaw-dropping auction last month, where a pair of Yubari cantaloupes sold for a record ¥2.5 million. (Editor's note --- at Y105 Japanese Yen to the US dollar, about where the two currencies stand currently, this works out to $238,000 for the two melons! Am I figuring this out wrong, somehow? Wouldn't be the first time. And we thought $6,100 for a watermelon was crazy!).
Friday's winning bid drew a gasp even from veterans of the expensive-fruit market.
"This is the highest price on record for a Densuke watermelon, and that probably means it's the highest of any watermelon in Japanese history," said
Kazuyoshi Ohira, a spokesman for the Toma Agricultural Cooperative. (Photo - The Yubari cantaloupe auction, and below that, Yubaris in the store ... Y10,000 = $95.00).
The watermelon was the first of 65 sold as part of the season's initial harvest and one of 9,000 expected for the year. Unseasonably warm weather in April and May helped boost the sugar content and overall quality of the fruit this year, Ohira said. (Photo - The hot action in Yubari ... Note all the media in attendance for this major event ... and in Japan, we are not kidding, this is a big-time annual happening ... and the Japanese love these kinds of annual occurrences; some of the prized cantaloupes are seen, boxed, in the foreground).
Other Densuke watermelons won't cost quite as much. Most will retail at department stores and supermarkets for a more modest ¥20,000 (about $190USD) to ¥30,000 (about $285 US dollars), Ohira said.
And what makes a watermelon worth so much?
Its unusual black skin, Ohira said. Inside, the watermelon is crisp and hard. And, he said, it has unparalleled taste.
"It's a watermelon, but it's not the same," he said. "It has a different level of sweetness."
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