Japan's Food Service Industry Anxious Over 'Sushi Terror'
Introducing AI Cameras... Some Abandon Conveyor Belt Systems
The scene of conveyor belt sushi restaurants in Japan, where customers watch sushi move along the belt and pick their favorite pieces to place on their tables, is on the verge of disappearing. This is because conveyor belt sushi restaurants, unable to endure 'sushi terror' such as people spitting on sushi, are choosing to make changes.
On the 7th (local time), foreign media including The Washington Post and The Guardian reported that Joshimaru, a franchise with dozens of conveyor belt sushi restaurants near Tokyo, will abandon the conveyor system and switch to made-to-order service by the end of this month.
Customers will either order directly from staff or select sushi via a touchscreen monitor, and the sushi will be brought to their tables. It will become a regular sushi restaurant rather than a 'conveyor belt' sushi restaurant.
Joshimaru’s decision to give up conveyor belt sushi is related to sushi terror. Controversy arose after a video circulated showing a man putting a cigarette butt into a plate of ginger on the belt.
In Japan, videos of sushi terror, such as licking shared soy sauce bottles or spitting on food, have been continuously circulated, raising concerns about the hygiene of conveyor belt sushi.
Increasing to 2 lanes and introducing AI cameras to prevent 'sushi terror'
Sushiro, Japan’s largest conveyor belt sushi franchise, has also recently struggled with sushi terror. Sales plummeted and stock prices dropped sharply after a video spread showing someone touching sushi with fingers licked with saliva.
In response, Sushiro devised a measure to increase the conveyor belt lanes to two. One lane operates like a typical conveyor belt sushi restaurant where anyone can take sushi, but the other lane delivers sushi ordered individually at high speed. It is a mix of conveyor belt and regular sushi restaurant styles.
Some places have employed AI technology to prevent sushi terror. The popular chain Kura installed AI-supported cameras to monitor suspicious activities, such as customers taking plates off the conveyor belt and then putting them back.
The Washington Post reported, "Conveyor belt sushi fans lament the changes to conveyor belt sushi restaurants, which started in Japan in 1958 and spread worldwide."
Regarding these changes, the Yomiuri Shimbun pointed out, "The way of enjoying popular food at reasonable prices is changing due to problems caused by a small number of thoughtless people."
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