Sukiya Shuts Down Restaurants After Pests Discovered in Food

Sukiya, one of Japan's largest beef-on-rice restaurant chains, is shutting numerous locations for cleaning after customers found pests, including a rat, in their meals. With nearly 2,000 outlets nationwide, the closures aim to address health and safety concerns.

In a significant move to address health and safety concerns, Sukiya, one of Japan's leading restaurant chains renowned for its beef-on-rice offerings, has announced a temporary closure of several of its outlets. This decision comes after two alarming incidents where pests were discovered in food served to customers, one involving a rat found in a bowl of miso soup and another involving what is reported to be an insect, allegedly part of a cockroach.

The restaurant chain revealed that the miso soup incident occurred earlier this year in January at a location in Tottori, but it only came to light recently when social media rumors began to circulate. Sukiya confirmed the rat's presence before customers could consume the dish, leading to immediate action. The affected restaurant was closed, and the company pledged to seal cracks in the building to prevent further contamination.

Following the latest incident reported in Tokyo, where a customer discovered an insect in their food on Friday, Sukiya decided to close most of its locations from March 31 to April 4. This decision is part of a broader effort to prevent pests and vermin from infiltrating their outlets. The company assured the public that it has implemented measures such as regular inspections for structural gaps and stricter waste disposal practices.

Upon discovering the insect, the restaurant manager promptly apologized to the affected customer and provided a refund. Sukiya emphasized that thorough cleaning and pest control will be prioritized during this mandated closure period. The restaurant chain is a subsidiary of Zensho Holdings, which oversees several culinary brands within Japan's competitive dining landscape.

The recent disclosure regarding the rat incident has had a noticeable impact on Sukiya's stock prices, which initially tumbled before making a slight recovery. The company’s shares will likely face continued scrutiny as confidence in their food safety practices comes into question. The actions taken by Sukiya reflect an essential commitment to consumer safety amid growing concerns over food quality in the restaurant industry.