China-Japan relations have worsened for about a month, with both sides failing to ease tensions. China has responded with measures in the economic and tourism sectors. However, this wave of tension has not affected Japanese restaurant chain brands; for example, 'Sushiro' (Sushi Lang) has seen unprecedented popularity at its two newly opened locations in Shanghai, and even the branch at Xidan Joy City in the capital Beijing has long lines on holidays.
Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's remarks about 'Taiwan contingency' have touched a sensitive political nerve between China and Japan. Notably, compared with the 2012 Diaoyu Islands nationalization incident—which triggered a strong wave of anti-Japanese product boycotts in China—this time, despite the political storm between the two sides, there has been no clear boycott of Japanese products in China.
According to Central News Agency reporters who recently visited the first Sushiro branch in Beijing, it was found that during dining hours there were crowds of people, with a three-hour wait just to taste this rotating sushi brand from Japan.
Some diners expressed that it is very difficult to completely avoid products or items made in Japan; for example, the staff inside the restaurant and mall employees are all Chinese, and they are just working here to make a living. Other customers said that there have never been many good sushi options in Beijing, and with Sushiro dishes starting at only 10 RMB (5.83 Ringgit), the affordable pricing makes it particularly popular in today’s sluggish consumption climate.
The Sushiro branch in Shanghai opened on December 6th and attracted many people to line up on the first day. According to Japanese media reports, some waited as long as 14 hours, highlighting the unprecedented crowds. Currently, Sushiro has a total of 71 locations in China.