Okay guys, this is real: the Japanese town of Noto actually spent 25 million yen ($229,000) on a giant squid statue.

Don't believe me? I have proof...

And yes, I used a CNN link just to keep your doubts alive.

You're welcome!

But for real, this town received $7.3 million worth of Covid relief money from the Japanese government and they felt it was necessary to spend $229,000 of it on A STATUE OF A GIANT SQUID.

I repeat: A STATUE OF A GIANT SQUID.

And look, I know that's only like 3% of the money, but COME ON! A giant squid?! "To boost tourism"?!? Tourism?!?

WHAT TOURISM???

Tourism's dead, yo!

Anyhow, the town has wanted to build the statue for a long time, so, well, no better time than 2020, I guess. When the central government sends you a bunch of money, you spend that money. It doesn't matter how.

Just spend it, bro!

This is what the world has come to.

Here's a video someone took of the giant squid so you can see just how far $229,000 goes in Japan:

For the record: a squid is not an octopus. I don't know who needs to hear that, but I'm sure someone does.