Police in Japan have arrested two men for ruining a communal plate of pickled ginger at a fast food restaurant after a prank video went viral on social media.
        The arrests come as similar food behaviors, dubbed “#sushitero” or “#sushiterrorism” online, are becoming more common. Previously, the hoaxes had mostly concerned conveyor belt sushi restaurants known in the country, raising questions about their future.
        Osaka police told CNN that Ryu Shimazu, 35, and Toshihide Oka, 34, were charged with obstruction of business and property damage after they used their own chopsticks to eat red ginger straight from a shared bowl in Yoshinoya. the affected household. chain of meat dishes in the city, back in September.
        A video posted to social media shows a man believed to be Shimazu vigorously eating ginger. Shimadzu said he did it because he “wanted everyone to laugh” and Oka said he shared the video “because it was funny,” according to police.
        Asked about the incident, a spokesman for Yoshinoya told CNN, “This video has caused our loyal customers discomfort and anxiety. We are very sorry that this has become the main news that has called into question the entire catering system. Industry safety and security. We sincerely hope that this will not happen again in the future.”
        Last month, police in central Japan arrested three people for a prank at Kura Sushi, a chain of conveyor belt restaurants. In addition to Kura Sushi, two other such chains — Sushiro and Hamazushi, owned by Food & Life companies — have previously told CNN that they have experienced similar disruptions. Each wrote a statement to the police.
        Japan has faced such unhygienic eating practices before. According to Nomura Japan retail analyst Daiki Kobayashi, in 2013, frequent reports of pranks and vandalism at sushi restaurants “crippled” network operators’ sales and traffic.
        But in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic, the latest food hoax has gone viral on social media, sparking renewed debate. In recent weeks, some Japanese social media users have wondered if the practice of assembly line sushi restaurants and other public services can continue as consumers demand more attention to cleanliness.
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