Sukiya, a major beef bowl chain in Japan, has announced the temporary closure of nearly all its stores following a disturbing incident involving food contamination. On March 28, 2025, a customer reported finding a part of a cockroach in a product served at the Akishima Station South store in Tokyo. This alarming discovery has prompted the company to take unprecedented action to address hygiene concerns.
On March 29, Sukiya's parent company, Zensho Holdings, declared that all stores nationwide, except for those located in shopping centers, will close from 9:00 AM on March 31 until 9:00 AM on April 4, 2025. This decision affects approximately 1,970 stores across the country, marking a significant step for a major food chain to halt operations entirely due to hygiene management issues.
The contamination incident at the Akishima store was reported after a customer who dined there on March 28 contacted Sukiya's consultation desk, stating that "a cockroach was mixed in" with their food. In response, the store management promptly suspended operations at around 5:00 PM that same day and issued a refund to the affected customer.
This is not the first time Sukiya has faced scrutiny over food safety. Earlier in January 2025, a separate incident occurred at a store in Tottori City, where a moth carcass was found in miso soup. Following this earlier contamination, Sukiya had already begun implementing rigorous hygiene education and visual inspections at all their stores. However, the recurrence of such incidents has led the company to recognize the need for more drastic measures.
In a statement released by Sukiya, the company expressed, "We take it very seriously that we have caused this situation despite the fact that foreign objects had also been found in another store in January 2025. We deeply apologize for the great inconvenience and concern caused to our customers and stakeholders." This acknowledgment highlights the company's commitment to addressing the ongoing concerns regarding food safety and hygiene.
The temporary closure is a proactive measure aimed at preventing further contamination and ensuring that pest control measures are thoroughly implemented. During this downtime, Sukiya plans to seal any cracks that could serve as entry points for pests, reinforcing their commitment to maintaining a clean and safe dining environment.
Despite the challenges, Sukiya remains one of Japan's most popular beef bowl chains, operating more locations than its competitors, Yoshinoya and Matsuya. The company has built a robust network, serving millions of customers each year. However, incidents like these pose serious risks to public trust and brand reputation.
Food safety is a critical issue for any restaurant, especially in a highly competitive market like Japan's. Consumers are becoming increasingly aware of hygiene standards and are less tolerant of lapses in food safety. As such, Sukiya's decision to close its stores temporarily reflects a broader trend in the food industry towards greater accountability and transparency.
In light of the recent events, customers are left wondering about the safety of their favorite dining spots. Many are expressing their concerns on social media, questioning how such contamination could happen in a well-established chain like Sukiya. The company is now under pressure not only to rectify the immediate issue but also to restore customer confidence.
As the closure date approaches, Sukiya has reassured customers that it is taking all necessary steps to prevent future incidents. The company emphasizes that it will be implementing comprehensive pest control measures and enhancing staff training on hygiene practices.
In conclusion, while the temporary closure of Sukiya's stores is a significant step in addressing food safety concerns, it also serves as a reminder of the importance of maintaining rigorous hygiene standards in the food industry. As customers await the reopening of their local Sukiya, the company faces the challenge of rebuilding trust and ensuring that such incidents do not occur again.
