Japanese town spends Covid funds on huge squid statue

The town of Noto sought to boost tourism in the area where squid is a delicacy

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A coastal town in Japan is facing criticism after it spent emergency funds intended for coronavirus measures on a giant statue of a squid to promote the local tourism industry.

Noto, located in Ishikawa prefecture on the Japan Sea coast, spent 25m (164,000) on the 13-metre-long marine creature, according to the Chunichi Shimbun.