9-6-2023 (OSAKA) Akindo Sushiro Co, the operator of a prominent conveyor belt sushi chain in Japan, has filed a damages suit amounting to ¥67 million (US$480,000) against a boy involved in a viral video controversy, according to court documents revealed on Thursday.
The lawsuit was submitted to the Osaka District Court by Akindo Sushiro Co on March 22. The complaint states that the boy visited a Sushiro outlet in Gifu prefecture on January 3 accompanied by a friend. The incident occurred when the boy was filmed licking an open soy sauce bottle and an unused teacup, followed by touching a plate of sushi passing by with his saliva-covered finger.
The video was later uploaded to social media on January 29, leading to widespread sharing and causing a significant decline in customers at Sushiro restaurants. The suit further alleges that the video resulted in a market capitalization decrease of over ¥16 billion for the parent company between January 30 and 31.
In response to the incident, Akindo Sushiro has implemented various measures, including the installation of plastic barriers at more than 600 outlets nationwide, incurring a loss of ¥90 million. The sushi chain operator may seek higher damages considering the impact of these measures.
The 45-second viral video generated considerable attention in Japan, giving rise to the term “sushi terrorism” to describe unhygienic behavior in restaurants. In conveyor belt sushi establishments, food is typically served on plates that circulate among multiple diners, and utensils are set on tables for consecutive customers to use throughout the day.
While the boy has admitted to licking communal items and expressed remorse, his defense team argues that the footage was intended for sharing only among his friends and that he had no intention of creating a video for widespread distribution online. The defense also claims that there is no clear causal relationship between the boy’s actions and the decline in customers, attributing the decrease to stiff competition among rival sushi chains.
Akindo Sushiro declined to comment on the matter. Other sushi chains, such as Kura Sushi Inc, have faced similar scandals earlier this year. In one instance, a man in Nagoya, Aichi prefecture, was indicted for obstruction of business after licking a soy sauce bottle top at a Kura Sushi restaurant. Additionally, a man in his 30s was indicted on the same charge after being filmed eating red pickled ginger directly from a communal bowl at a Yoshinoya Co beef bowl chain restaurant in Osaka.
