A Town in Japan Spent How Much on a Giant Squid Statue???

Sounds a little fishy...

Noto, a coastal town in Japan, has recently made headlines after spending $230,000 of federal COVID-19 relief money on a 43-foot flying squid statue.

According to nytimes.com, the town official, Tetsuji Shimoyachi said,

However, many are uneasy about spending that much of COVID relief money on a gigantic squid statue.

If you are ever in Noto Japan, this five-and-a-half-ton pink sea creature sits outside a squid-themed restaurant and tourist center.