Japan’s largest beef bowl chain, Sukiya, has temporarily closed nearly 2,000 stores following two alarming food contamination incidents. The first occurred in January at a Tottori branch, where a customer discovered a rat in their bowl of miso soup. The second incident took place on March 28 at a Tokyo location, where a cockroach was found in a takeout meal. Both incidents sparked public outrage and widespread concern over food safety standards at the popular fast-food chain.

In response to the backlash, Sukiya announced that most of its domestic locations would shut down from March 31 to April 4 for thorough cleaning, pest control, and inspections. Only select outlets inside shopping malls remain operational during this period. The company issued multiple public apologies, acknowledging the “great inconvenience and concern” caused and promising to implement stricter measures to prevent future contamination. Sukiya also pledged to address structural issues, such as sealing cracks in buildings that may allow pests to enter.

The incidents have had significant repercussions for Sukiya’s reputation and business operations. A photo of the rat incident circulated widely on social media for weeks before the company officially addressed it in March. Following these revelations, Zensho Holdings, Sukiya’s parent company, saw its stock price drop by 7% before recovering later in the week. Sukiya is now working to restore customer trust by offering refunds to affected patrons and reinforcing food safety protocols.

This crisis highlights broader concerns about food safety in the restaurant industry. Sukiya’s swift action underscores the importance of maintaining high hygiene standards to ensure customer confidence and protect brand integrity.