Three People Arrested in Japan in Connection with “Sushi Terrorism” Stunts

According to the New York Times, three people have been arrested in Japan following their alleged connection to what’s being described as “sushi terrorism.” The 15, 19, and 21-year-olds arrested have allegedly been pulling unsanitary pranks and sushi conveyer belt restaurants. These stunts have been captured on viral videos. 

Authorities in the city of Nagoya arrested 21-year-old Rygoga Yoshino- alleging he is the person who licked a bottle of soy sauce in a widely-circulated video. The New York Times reports the three were being held for "forcible obstruction of business," a charge that has a maximum penalty of three years in jail.

NPR reports the “sushi terrorism” incident took place at Kura Sushi conveyor-belt sushi restaurant on Feb. 3. Authorities claim that after the video went viral, the restaurant’s management company had to deal with compensation claims. A spokesperson for Kura Sushi told the BBC that the trend — which has been happening since January on social media — is "extremely dangerous." The restaurant chain has also filed a complaint for damages with the police. 

All three suspects involved allegedly admitted to their involvement in the viral stunt, with one apologizing to authorities. The statuses of their cases were unclear.