Employee suspected of taking and reselling merchandise, Japan’s Kura Sushi abruptly halts Chiikawa promotion

A popular Kura Sushi promotion featuring the character Chiikawa will be abruptly halted after allegations that company employees took and resold collaboration merchandise.

The Japanese conveyor-belt sushi chain announced on its official website on Sept. 5 that the campaign would end when stores opened the following day. The promotion included original figurines, acrylic magnets and badges distributed through a capsule-toy game, as well as special gifts such as soup cups and sushi plates for customers who spent a certain amount.

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We consider this an extremely serious incident and are currently conducting a rapid, in-depth investigation into the facts.

The controversy had already drawn attention after users on social media accused the company of mishandling the collaboration goods. In a statement issued on Sept. 2, Kura Sushi said it considered the matter “an extremely serious incident” and was quickly conducting an in-depth investigation into the facts.

The company apologized for the decision to end the campaign midway. It said it was deeply sorry for the “great inconvenience and trouble” caused to the many customers who had eagerly awaited the promotion and to everyone involved in the collaboration.

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We offer our deepest apologies for the great trouble and inconvenience caused to the many customers who eagerly awaited this campaign and to everyone involved in the collaboration.