Sushiro, a popular sushi chain in Japan, has taken legal action against a high school student, demanding 67 million yen ($480,000) in compensation. The lawsuit comes after the student was caught on social media footage licking his finger and touching a plate of sushi on a conveyor belt at a Sushiro outlet in Gifu city. The incident quickly spread online, causing a significant decline in customer numbers for the restaurant chain.Akindo Sushiro, the operator of Sushiro restaurants, claims that the viral video directly led to a sharp decrease in its customer base. The footage also revealed the student licking a soy sauce bottle and placing it back with communal items. This incident contributed to the rise of the term “sushi terrorism,” which refers to unhygienic actions at sushi train restaurants where customers select dishes from conveyor belts.The lawsuit, filed by Akindo Sushiro Co. at the Osaka District Court, alleges a staggering loss of around 16 billion yen ($115 million) following the release of the video. The substantial drop in customers and the decline in the parent company’s stock value are said to be the direct consequences.In response to the complaint, the student’s legal representatives admitted to the act and expressed remorse. However, they disputed the causal connection between the student’s actions and the decline in customers. They suggested that the highly competitive nature of the industry might have played a role in the restaurant chain’s loss of business.Akindo Sushiro Co. has chosen not to disclose further details about the case, citing its ongoing appeal. The company reiterated its commitment to maintaining a trustworthy relationship with its customers and emphasized its willingness to take strict measures, both criminal and civil, against any behavior that undermines that trust.

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