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Tokyo-based fast-food chain Sukiya has announced the temporary closure of nearly 2,000 restaurants across Japan following two separate contamination incidents involving a rat and a cockroach found in meals.

The restaurant chain, famous for its beef bowls, will shut most of its locations from March 31 to April 4 to implement stricter hygiene measures, the company confirmed on Saturday.

The decision comes after a customer at a Tokyo Sukiya branch reported finding a cockroach in a takeaway meal on Friday. The store immediately halted operations, and the customer was issued a refund.

According to SCMP, this incident follows a similar case in January when a rat was discovered in a bowl of miso soup served at a Tottori outlet.

In response, Sukiya stated, "We are taking the situation seriously and will take all necessary measures to prevent further occurrences." While most locations will shut down for a thorough sanitation process, some outlets in shopping centers will remain open, pending coordination with facility management.

Sukiya is owned by Zensho Holdings, one of Japan's largest restaurant operators.

The recent contamination reports have impacted the company's market performance, with shares of Zensho Holdings plunging by as much as 7% before recovering later in the week.

Sukiya Promises Stronger Hygiene Measures Amid Restaurant Shutdown

To address the issue, Sukiya has already taken steps such as sealing cracks in affected branches to prevent pest infiltration.

The chain is now reinforcing hygiene protocols by increasing staff training, conducting visual inspections, and intensifying pest control measures across all locations.

Sukiya, which operates around 1,965 stores in Japan and 650 more internationally across China, Southeast Asia, and Latin America, is the largest beef bowl chain in the country. It surpasses competitors Yoshinoya, which has approximately 1,250 outlets, and Matsuya, which operates around 1,100 stores.

While food recalls are uncommon in Japan, the country maintains strict sanitation standards. However, contamination incidents occasionally make headlines.

In 2024, over 100,000 packets of sliced bread were recalled after rat remains were found in two packages, CBS News said.

The temporary closure of Sukiya locations is expected to affect thousands of daily customers, though the company assures the public that these measures are necessary for maintaining quality and safety standards. Sukiya has promised to implement more rigorous inspections before resuming normal operations.

Despite the setback, the restaurant chain remains committed to regaining public trust. "We sincerely apologize to our customers and will do everything possible to ensure this does not happen again," Sukiya stated.