A wave of "sushi terrorism" is gripping the restaurant world in Japan
There are breaches of etiquette - dipping your rice in soy sauce, to begin with - and then there are heinous acts of "sushi terrorism".
Japan's iconic cuisine is at the center of a police investigation after customers at revolving sushi restaurants posted video clips of themselves interfering with food and making pranks on other customers.
The incidents have sent shares of a leading kaitenzushi chain tumbling and prompting operators to rethink how they serve their food.
Several acts of so-called "sushi terrorism" have emerged on Twitter and other social media in recent days, although some re seemingly weeks or even years.
A clip of the most egregious culinary crime, which has been viewed nearly 40 million times on Twitter, shows what seems being a teenager licking the open top of a common soy sauce bottle and the entire rim of a tea cup, which he then places back on a shelf.
If that wasn't enough, the 48-second clip shows him licking his finger and using it to touch two pieces of sushi, presumably ordered by another customer, as they pass the conveyor belt. p>
The video, filmed at a branch of the Sushiro chain in the central city of Gifu, sent shares of the restaurant's parent company plummeting nearly 5% on Tuesday.
Other videos show people from other channels putting wasabi on pieces of sushi and licking the spoon off a container of green tea powder. rt used by several diners.
While the small number of incidents hardly indicates a wave of sushi-related crimes, the videos have sparked an uproar in Japan, where the industry is widespread. around 740 billion yen (£4.7 billion/$5.7 billion).
Most of the outrage is reserved for those who disregard standards high standards of hygiene in the country.
"Sickening," wrote one Twitter user, while another added, "I can't go to conveyor belt sushi restaurants."
Market leader Sushiro said this week that the man who made the viral video had apologized, as well than his parents, but added that he has filed criminal and civil lawsuits.
The clips prompted Sushiro to replace all of the restaurant's soy sauce bottles and rewash his teacups. It has also stopped placing condiments and utensils on every table at the restaurant in question and others located nearby, and is asking diners to pick them up at a service point, according to Japanese media.
Two other chains, Hama Sushi and Kura Sushi, have also announced plans to take legal action, with the latter planning to install cameras above conveyor belts to monitor customers, Jiji News Agency reported.
While some social media users spoke of feeling nauseous after watching the clips, others expressed sympathy for the kaitenzushi operators.
"Always wanted to go to Sushiro but couldn't because it's always crowded," tweeted singer Yuya Tegoshi. "But the situation is now the worst for them, so I will definitely visit them."
Company president Kohei Nii said he was overwhelmed by the outpouring of support, tweeting: 'I'm so grateful I got to cry.'
There are breaches of etiquette - dipping your rice in soy sauce, to begin with - and then there are heinous acts of "sushi terrorism".
Japan's iconic cuisine is at the center of a police investigation after customers at revolving sushi restaurants posted video clips of themselves interfering with food and making pranks on other customers.
The incidents have sent shares of a leading kaitenzushi chain tumbling and prompting operators to rethink how they serve their food.
Several acts of so-called "sushi terrorism" have emerged on Twitter and other social media in recent days, although some re seemingly weeks or even years.
A clip of the most egregious culinary crime, which has been viewed nearly 40 million times on Twitter, shows what seems being a teenager licking the open top of a common soy sauce bottle and the entire rim of a tea cup, which he then places back on a shelf.
If that wasn't enough, the 48-second clip shows him licking his finger and using it to touch two pieces of sushi, presumably ordered by another customer, as they pass the conveyor belt. p>
The video, filmed at a branch of the Sushiro chain in the central city of Gifu, sent shares of the restaurant's parent company plummeting nearly 5% on Tuesday.
Other videos show people from other channels putting wasabi on pieces of sushi and licking the spoon off a container of green tea powder. rt used by several diners.
While the small number of incidents hardly indicates a wave of sushi-related crimes, the videos have sparked an uproar in Japan, where the industry is widespread. around 740 billion yen (£4.7 billion/$5.7 billion).
Most of the outrage is reserved for those who disregard standards high standards of hygiene in the country.
"Sickening," wrote one Twitter user, while another added, "I can't go to conveyor belt sushi restaurants."
Market leader Sushiro said this week that the man who made the viral video had apologized, as well than his parents, but added that he has filed criminal and civil lawsuits.
The clips prompted Sushiro to replace all of the restaurant's soy sauce bottles and rewash his teacups. It has also stopped placing condiments and utensils on every table at the restaurant in question and others located nearby, and is asking diners to pick them up at a service point, according to Japanese media.
Two other chains, Hama Sushi and Kura Sushi, have also announced plans to take legal action, with the latter planning to install cameras above conveyor belts to monitor customers, Jiji News Agency reported.
While some social media users spoke of feeling nauseous after watching the clips, others expressed sympathy for the kaitenzushi operators.
"Always wanted to go to Sushiro but couldn't because it's always crowded," tweeted singer Yuya Tegoshi. "But the situation is now the worst for them, so I will definitely visit them."
Company president Kohei Nii said he was overwhelmed by the outpouring of support, tweeting: 'I'm so grateful I got to cry.'
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