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Japan's 'sushi terrorism' spree has led to 2 more arrests by the nation's police force

Apr 6, 2023, 04:24 IST
Business Insider
A conveyor belt sushi restaurant in Tokyo, Japan.Education Images/Universal Images Group via Getty Images)
  • Two more people have been arrested for property damage over a "sushi terrorism" video in Japan.
  • Ryu Shimazu, 35, and Toshihide Oka, 34, were both arrested over the last couple weeks.
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Two men were arrested in Japan, after they posted a video to social media showing them eating directly from a communal serving bowl with chopsticks, in another example of the "sushi terrorism" trend.

Ryu Shimazu, 35, and Toshihide Oka, 34, both were arrested on suspicion of obstructing business, and property damage, according to The Associated Press. Oka is suspected of filming Shimazu using his chopsticks to eat directly from a communal bowl of pickled ginger, instead of using the designated serving utensil for the popular topping.

A viewer allegedly reported the video to Yoshinoya, the popular chain where the video was filmed, which threw out possibly contaminated food and informed police, the AP reported.

Police said the men told them they posted the video to social media because they thought it was funny, the AP reported.

The prank was months ago, but the restaurant where it was filmed discovered it as the trend garners international attention.

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The trend gained popularity earlier this year as videos were posted under the hashtag "#寿司テロ," or "sushi terror." Pranksters licked soy sauce bottles and added wasabi to items on the conveyor belt at popular restaurants in Japan — then posted videos or pictures.

The incidents took place at multiple popular sushi restaurants in Japan where food is transported on a conveyor belt allowing customers to select their meal a dish at a time.

Shimazu and Oka could face a maximum of six years in prison and about $6,000 in fines if they are convicted, according to the AP. Yoshinoya said it is a "source of great regret" that these videos make customers question the safety of their restaurants, according to the Kyodo News.

Police have arrested the subjects of other videos in recent weeks, and at least one popular chain said it would begin using cameras and artificial intelligence technology to identify suspicious behavior among customers.

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