In brief
Sukiya, a popular Japanese restaurant chain, is temporarily shutting down its nearly 2,000 outlets for deep cleaning after customers found a rat and an insect in their meals.
Sukiya, known for its savory beef-on-rice dishes, has announced a temporary closure of its restaurants due to health and safety concerns after two alarming incidents of pests in food. A customer spotted an insect in their meal, and last weekend, the chain confirmed that a rat was found in a bowl of miso soup back in January. To address these issues, it will close most of its outlets between March 31 and April 4 for thorough cleaning to prevent further pest infestations. In a public apology, the chain expressed regret for the distress this has caused. The news of the rat sparked rumors for weeks on social media before Sukiya verified the incident, explaining that the rodent was discovered before it could be consumed. After the miso soup incident in Tottori, Sukiya took steps to seal cracks in their buildings and ensure stringent cleaning processes.However, following a recent discovery of what is believed to be a cockroach near a customer's food in Tokyo, the chain opted for a more extensive closure. The affected customer received an apology and a refund. Sukiya is a subsidiary of Zensho Holdings, which operates multiple restaurant chains across Japan. The company's stock value fell initially after the rat incident, highlighting the impact of food safety on consumer trust and business operations.
