Food chain to consult police after viral video shows man touching sushi with licked finger

NAGOYA -- The parent firm of major conveyor-belt sushi chain Akindo Sushiro Co. will consult police and take strict action after a video posted on social media showed a young man touching sushi with a licked finger, the company announced on Jan. 30.

In the video, a man visiting a Sushiro restaurant is seen licking a soy sauce bottle and a cup and then putting them back, as well as touching sushi on a conveyor belt with a licked finger as it passes him, as if to show another person who is filming the video. It has been viewed more than 22 million times.

Food & Life Companies Ltd. based in Suita, Osaka Prefecture, announced that it would consult police about the incident and take strict action, from both criminal and civil perspectives.

A company representative told the Mainichi Shimbun, "We have implemented thorough disinfection and disposal of soy sauce bottles in the store where the incident apparently occurred. We'd like to consult with police after conducting a thorough internal investigation. We consider the incident a serious matter causing anxiety among our customers. We hope that those involved in the case will take full responsibility for their actions." The company also announced its response on its website.

(Japanese original by Shinichiro Kawase, Nagoya News Center)