[imagesource:wikicommon]

Japan’s favourite export after Nintendo has been under threat from what local police have termed ‘sushi terrorism’. The word terrorism is perhaps too violent, but authorities are investigating numerous cases of customers meddling with dishes on the conveyers belts commonly found in sushi restaurants.

As can be expected, the videos of the incidents are circulating on social media – after all, what is the point of doing anything these days if you don’t broadcast it to the entire planet?

The incidents have sent shares plummeting in a leading Kaitenzushi chain and prompted operators to rethink how they serve their dishes.

Stocks in the restaurant’s parent company plunged nearly 5% since the videos began circulating. Japanese culture is very respectful, and the sight of spotty teenagers licking Saki-cups has left the country and its R122 Billion ($5.7 Billion) sushi industry fuming.

【悲報】回転寿司炎上界隈に新たな挑戦者あらわる
今度はスシローで醤油さしや湯飲みをベロベロ舐めまくり＆回る寿司にも唾タッチ pic.twitter.com/RMUk3caZQE

— 滝沢ガレソ (@takigare3) January 29, 2023

Although the teenager in the viral Twitter clip was identified and subsequently apologised, the restaurant chain is still pursuing legal action against the sushi-terrorist.

Most of the outrage is reserved for those who show contempt for the country’s high standards of hygiene.

Restaurants chains have now taken measures to curb this gross behaviour and have installed video cameras above conveyor belts as well as removed condiments and utensils from their tables. Still, eeewww.

Whether this will set customers’ minds at ease when they reach for their Makizushi, is not so sure. Although it’s probably still safer than a pop-up Sushi-bar in Benoni.

[source:guardian&youtube/mirror]