Shock waves hit the food industry as a beloved Japanese beef bowl chain, Sukiya, announces the temporary closure of nearly 2,000 stores in Japan. The drastic measure comes after a series of disturbing incidents where customers found a dead mouse in a bowl of soup and bugs in another dish.
The trouble started when a customer discovered a mouse in their miso soup at a Sukiya branch in western Japan back in January. The news sent the company’s stock plummeting by 7%.
In a recent statement, Sukiya revealed that another incident occurred on March 28 at a Tokyo branch, where a customer was served a dish containing bugs. This was the final straw, prompting the company to take drastic action.
Starting March 31, almost all Sukiya branches in Japan will shut down for four days to address the contamination issues. Only a few locations in shopping centers will remain open. “We take these incidents very seriously,” Sukiya said in a statement, apologizing to their customers.
The chain has a massive presence in Japan, with 1,965 branches across the country, and over 650 more in China, Southeast Asia, and Latin America. Fortunately, only the Japanese branches are affected by this closure.
What’s Next for Sukiya?
The company’s decision to temporarily close almost all its stores in Japan is a significant move to rectify the situation. Sukiya will use this time to implement measures to prevent such incidents from happening again.
The incident has raised questions about food safety and quality control in the industry. As Sukiya works to regain customer trust, the company must ensure that its branches maintain the highest standards of hygiene and food preparation.
Global Impact
While the closure only affects Sukiya’s Japanese branches, the incident has sparked concern among customers worldwide. The company must take this opportunity to review its global operations and reassure customers that their food is safe to eat.
As the situation unfolds, Sukiya’s commitment to food safety and customer satisfaction will be put to the test. Will the company be able to bounce back from this crisis, or will it face long-term damage to its reputation? Only time will tell.
Source: cna
