人間の救助よりも、蟹の缶詰を一個でも多く作るほうが儲かるため

One blizzardy day, another Kawasaki boat (a small fishing vessel) sailing near Hakuko Maru met with disaster, and the cries of laborers requesting rescue echoed. However, Asakawa declared, 'Rather than spending time on rescue, it is more profitable to make even one more can of crab,' and coldly refused to help. Triggered by this ruthless incident that disregarded human life, the laborers' anger reached a boiling point, and the bonds of solidarity rapidly hardened.