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Japanese Restaurant Chain Apologizes For “No Chinese” Sign, Closes Store
SASAYA Holdings, which operates multiple restaurants in Osaka and beyond, says it’s taken swift action after the incident went viral.
By Jay Allen
An Osaka-based restaurant chain has apologized after one of its stores put up a sign refusing service to Chinese nationals. The act, which violates Japanese law, highlights the problematic ways some Japanese restaurants are responding to misbehaving or demanding tourists.
Store is closed after incident
The store in question belongs to SASAYA Holdings, which operates various izakaya-style restaurants focused on different aspects of Japanese and foreign cuisine. The chain has most of its stores in Osaka, with a few in Tokyo and Fukui. It also runs two stores in Honolulu.
The controversy apparently involves the store Sumibi Yakitori HAYASHIN. According to news reports and the company itself, the store posted a sign in Chinese saying, “Since so many people lack manners, we refuse service to Chinese customers. Thank you for your understanding.”
