Inside Japan's Kobe Beef Industry

KOBE, JAPAN - JANUARY 10: A Japanese meat dealer examines Japanese cattle carcasses using flashlight at the Kobe beef auction, operated by Kobe Chuo Chikusan Niuke Ltd, at the Western Kobe Wholesale market on January 10, 2017 in Kobe, Japan. The total value of today's auction is priced at 13,646,596 Japanese yen ($117,515 USD). According to Kobe Chuo Chikusan Nikue Ltd about 4,947 cattle, grown in Hyogo Prefecture, are taken to local and foreign markets yearly. In Japan, genuine Kobe wagyu beef comes only from the Tajima-gyu cow born, reared and slaughtered in the Hyogo prefecture, making the classification very rare. Known for it's extensive marbling and tenderness, Kobe beef is one of the world's most expensive meats. (Photo by Buddhika Weerasinghe/Getty Images)