"Here We Go Again in Japan"... Sushi Terror Strikes Despite Covered Plates

Touching Sushi with Bare Hands on the Conveyor Belt at Kura Sushi

A video showing a customer touching sushi with bare hands on the conveyor belt at the major Japanese conveyor belt sushi chain Kura Sushi has been released, sparking a hygiene controversy.

A video recently sparked controversy on social media. Captured from X, etc.

On October 14, local media released the video, reporting that it featured a customer, presumed to be a female student dressed casually, handling sushi on a plate and drinking soy sauce. The companion sitting across from her was seen filming the incident and laughing together in the video.

Immediately after the incident, Kura Sushi replaced all the sushi on the affected conveyor belt. The company added that table condiments such as soy sauce are disinfected and replaced with new containers each time customers change. Kura Sushi stated, "We deeply regret this incident and will respond strictly to ensure customers can dine with peace of mind."

A video posted on a social media platform by Ryoga Yoshino (21), a suspect who engaged in unsanitary behavior such as putting a shared soy sauce bottle to his mouth at a conveyor belt sushi chain in Japan in 2023. Twitter capture

Kura Sushi offers a variety of sushi and Japanese dishes via a rotating conveyor belt. Customers can select sushi directly from the belt or order items not available on the conveyor belt.

A similar incident occurred last year. Videos circulated showing customers putting their mouths on soy sauce bottles or licking sushi as it rotated on the belt, leading to controversy. Three people involved in these unsanitary pranks were arrested by the police. In Japan, if obstruction of business by force is recognized, offenders can face up to three years in prison.