Sukiya shuts thousands of restaurants after pest contamination

In Japan, one of the largest restaurant chains known for its beef-on-rice dishes, Sukiya, has taken significant measures in response to troubling pest contamination incidents that have recently come to light. On March 31, 2025, Sukiya announced that it would temporarily close nearly its entire branch network, which consists of approximately 2,000 restaurants across Japan, for a brief period from March 31 to April 4. This decision comes after two alarming incidents where customers found pests in their meals, specifically a rat in a bowl of miso soup and an insect believed to be a cockroach in another dish. The pest control measures prompted by these findings are intended to ensure customer safety and restore public confidence in food hygiene at their establishments. The closure aims to allow a thorough cleaning and inspection of all outlets to avert potential external intrusion and internal infestation of pests and vermin. Rumors about the earlier incident involving the rat in miso soup had circulated on social media for several weeks, resulting in much public concern prior to Sukiya's admission. The rat was discovered at a location in Tottori back in January, but the company has only recently unveiled the details surrounding the incident. The situation escalated quickly, prompting immediate action: a temporary closure of the restaurant where the pest was found, while the management endeavored to mitigate future occurrences by addressing structural cracks that could allow pest contamination. This proactive approach aimed to reassure customers that Sukiya is serious about maintaining the high sanitation standards expected in Japan's food service industry. The latest pest finding surfaced on March 30, 2025, when a customer discovered an insect in their meal at a Tokyo location. The company quickly responded to these concerns by issuing refunds to affected customers and ensuring that pest-control professionals were notified to handle the issue effectively. Sukiya’s management issued a formal apology for the "great inconvenience and concern caused," emphasizing their commitment to preventative measures and re-evaluating existing protocols to enhance food safety in the future. The company reiterated that it would conduct regular checks of its locations to prevent gaps that could lead to infestations, along with stringent garbage disposal protocols. The fallout from these incidents has not only affected customer trust but has also had a noticeable impact on the company's stock value. Following the revelation of the rat's presence in dining, Sukiya's parent company, Zensho Holdings, saw a dip in its share price, which subsequently recovered later in the week. Nonetheless, ongoing scrutiny is anticipated as the public's confidence in Sukiya's food safety practices will be critical to their future operations. As food recalls and hygiene issues in Japan make headlines occasionally, the chain’s response to this situation will likely set an important precedent for the industry.