Japanese Emperor Akihito says, ‘EAT ME!’
Japan launches catch-and-eat drive to eliminate ‘prince fish’ nuisance
Mon Nov 26, 2007, TOKYO (AFP) ….Emperor Akihito, a fish expert, brought the bluegill from the United States a half-century ago when he was crown prince, hoping to offer a new source of food to Japan. But the bluegill, once celebrated as “prince fish,” has turned into a nuisance in Japanese rivers and lakes by feeding on native species…Chicago’s legendary mayor Richard J. Daley offered the fish specimen as a gift to the visiting Akihito in 1960…more…
Actually, Japan has a huge “alien” problem with the place being over-run with foreign species such as crayfish, bullfrogs, skunks, black bass, and alligator snapping turtles. The Environment Ministry has designated 42 foreign species for control under the “Invasive Alien Species Law”—Lucky for me they haven’t banned me yet.
The weirdest alien I’ve seen in a Tokyo was a small group of South American Coatimundi running through a faux-churchyard during an evening wedding. Thanks to anime freakizoids and their love of the animated series “Rascal” [ラスカル] raccoons were popular and highly desired pet. However, Japanese dump their pets when they’re a problem—Raccoons are nothing but a problem on four legs in a typical concrete box apartment in Japan. I’ve seen North American raccoons several times in the park behind my old home by Northern Yokohama Showa hospital.
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