Japanese restaurant bans Japanese customers, only serves foreigners.

Recently, in a Facebook post, Akio Arima, the 42-year-old manager of Menya Yaeyama Style restaurant, wrote: “From July to September, we will stop accepting Japanese customers and will only serve foreign customers. If you are Japanese but live abroad, please show us your ID.” Arima added that the restaurant only has 8 seats at the counter. Therefore, please order (at least one bowl of noodles) per customer.

However, the reason why Menya Yaeyama Style restaurant—which specializes in ramen and traditional Japanese rice dishes—restricts Japanese customers goes beyond just ordering. The restaurant manager stated on his Facebook page that the restaurant does not serve infants or young children because they cause too much trouble.

Akio Arima's drastic decision has sparked considerable controversy in Japan. However, the restaurant owner maintains his stance, arguing that he cannot tolerate rude behavior and refusal to abide by restaurant rules from his compatriots. Conversely, he has never had any problems with foreign customers.

Currently, it is unknown whether the restaurant will change its policy after September. However, for regular Japanese customers (those with membership cards), the restaurant will continue to serve them as usual.

The Phong