Zany Pranks Push Japanese Chain to Introduce Cartoon Conveyor Belts – You Won't Believe Your Sushi!

A Japanese sushi chain, recently targeted by multiple hygiene-related pranks, has come up with an innovative solution. Instead of using the traditional rotating conveyor belt (known as "kaiten") to serve sushi, the Sushiro chain plans to use digital technology. They will replace the physical conveyor belt with animations displayed on touchscreen devices installed at each table. Akindo Sushiro Co., the company behind the Sushiro chain, shared this information in a recent statement.

Customers can now place their orders by simply tapping on screens displaying animated sushi and other food items. Once the order is confirmed, the delectable sushi dishes will be promptly delivered to their table through a separate conveyor belt directly from the kitchen. The company recently initiated a trial of this futuristic shopping experience at three of its stores located in Tokyo, Osaka, and Nagoya.

Since the beginning of the year, the chain has been enduring a series of practical jokes known as "sushi terrorism." These pranksters, drawing inspiration from popular online videos, recorded themselves either licking communal soy sauce bottles or tampering with dishes circulating on conveyor belts in the chain's eateries.

At least five individuals have been apprehended by the police in two different incidents related to pranks at a sushi restaurant and a beef bowl chain this year. Public broadcaster NHK revealed in June that Akindo Sushiro has filed a lawsuit against a high school student for 67 million yen ($480,000) following the uploading of social media footage in January. The video depicted the student licking his finger before touching a plate of sushi that was moving on a conveyor belt.

A digital experience

Akindo Sushiro highlighted that the touchscreens seamlessly blend a modern digital experience with the classic joy of examining the conveyor belts and selecting sushi. In their statement, they expressed their dedication to continuous improvement while upholding their promise of delivering mouthwatering dishes. Additionally, they reassured customers that they can savor their sushi with complete peace of mind.

It said the screens can be used by two people at once and diners can also play games and quizzes on the new terminals.

Three Sushiro outlets have been fitted with the new digital conveyor belts.

Courtesy FOOD and LIFE COMPANIES

Alessio Procopio, an Italian residing in Tokyo, praised the initiative to enhance hygiene, stating that it is a logical step that can create a more contemporary environment, especially for tourists visiting Japan post-Covid. Procopio further suggested that this move could also contribute to minimizing food waste.

However, there were concerns among some that this decision might erode the fundamental elements of the traditional kaiten style. Hideki, a regular customer who chose to withhold his last name, expressed his disappointment, stating, "It would be a shame to lose the sushi train."

The student from western Hyogo prefecture expressed his concern about the potential complete elimination of conveyor belt sushi, as he would miss the ease of directly picking up sushi. He mentioned that the convenience would diminish if the system became solely digital, requiring customers to request their desired items in advance.