Conveyor belt sushi restaurants in Japan are taking action to ensure greater hygiene after a series of viral videos showed customers engaging in unhygienic behavior, such as licking soy sauce bottles or touching other people’s dishes.
Kura Sushi, one of the largest chains of conveyor belt sushi restaurants in Japan, has implemented an Artificial Intelligence (AI) security system to prevent such incidents from happening. The system involves the installation of sensors and cameras on some of its conveyor belts. If a customer is caught, an alert will be sent to the restaurant’s head office, and the incident will be reported to the police.
Other restaurants are also taking steps to ensure greater hygiene. The Choushimaru chain has decided to stop using its conveyor belts altogether after a video showed a customer putting a cigarette end into a jar of pickled ginger. The Sushiro chain has changed its rules, requiring customers to get their own utensils and sauces from staff and introducing an express lane conveyor belt for delivering food directly to customers.
A popular dining experience
Conveyor belt sushi, also known as kaitenzushi, is a popular dining experience in Japan. It involves a conveyor belt carrying plates of sushi around the restaurant for customers to pick up as they pass. The concept was first introduced in Japan in the 1950s as a way to reduce staffing costs. Today, it has become a huge industry in the country, with many chains and restaurants offering a wide variety of sushi dishes.
Ensuring customer satisfaction
While the recent incidents of unhygienic behavior have caused concern among customers, the measures being taken by restaurants demonstrate their commitment to ensuring customer satisfaction and maintaining the reputation of conveyor belt sushi. With the implementation of AI security systems and other measures, customers can continue to enjoy this popular dining experience with greater peace of mind.
