Japan's Sukiya Shutters Restaurants Amid Pest Incidents**

Sukiya, a prominent Japanese restaurant chain, is temporarily closing its outlets for pest control after two alarming incidents involving pests in food items, raising questions about food safety and company management.**

One of Japan's leading fast-food chains, Sukiya, has announced a temporary closure of its restaurants for thorough cleaning and pest control measures, following alarming incidents where customers found pests in their food. This decision comes after the restaurant chain faced public scrutiny due to a rat discovered in a bowl of miso soup in January and an insect recently found by a customer in Tokyo.

With nearly 2,000 establishments, Sukiya is particularly noted for its beef-on-rice dishes. The company's management has acknowledged the severity of the situation, stating that most of its locations will close from March 31 to April 4 to mitigate any potential for pest infestations. The restaurant expressed regret for the “great inconvenience and concern caused” to its customers.

The rat in the miso soup incident initially stirred rumors on social media, which prompted Sukiya to eventually confirm the claim. Although the rat was discovered before consumption, the company's credibility came under fire as it struggled to address public outcry. In response, Sukiya has taken steps to seal building cracks that could facilitate pest entry and assured customers that restaurants would undergo regular pest inspections moving forward.

The latest closing decision was driven by yet another reported incident where a customer found what appeared to be part of a cockroach in their meal. Following the incident, the restaurant adversely affected immediately closed its doors and contacted pest control experts to address the issue.

Sukiya operates under Zensho Holdings, a parent company renowned for multiple dining brands across Japan. The recent disclosure regarding the rat incident resulted in a dip followed by a recovery in the company's share price, although its stock will likely face increased scrutiny in light of the recent developments.

As Sukiya grapples with public health concerns, it highlights the larger issue of food safety in Japan's bustling dining industry, raising questions about oversight and preventive measures that need to be in place to protect consumers.