Recently, the owner of the Tokyo restaurant below opted for a ‘Japanese only’ policy due to the coronavirus outbreak. In his tweet announcing the decision, he was at pains to stress that it wasn’t in any way discriminatory. Instead, it was simply a way to try and protect his family, staff and the eatery’s customers.
A controversial move it has to be said, but one that doesn’t seem to have affected business, as on Monday (a national holiday), there was a long line of people waiting to get in. All of them Japanese of course.
Coli says
Maybe it’s because I’ve lived here for nearly two decades, but I can’t blame his decision to do so. Unfortunately the spread of peoples fear and the actual virus itself doesn’t seem to be slowing down anytime soon, does it? I’m still wondering what to think about all the masks for street photography. Anyways, I hope you and your family stay safe in your area.
Lee says
Yeah, it’s definitely not as straightforward as it may initially seem. I don’t agree with it, but like you said, at the same time his decision is to some degree understandable. He has a business to sustain, and the constant media coverage, along with scaremongering, could easily jeopardise that.
The trouble is, approaches like this only add to the scaremongering and fear. Targeting some, while not others. Like Asians being attacked and abused in other counties, when in reality, the virus is now seemingly everywhere. A sense of fear that likely drove the owner to make such a drastic decision in the first place….
Yeah, I know. Masks in some photos work, but I much prefer photos without them. That could be a tricky ask for a while though.
Thanks a lot. You too. I hope and your loved ones keep safe.
Vidong Tambok says
So, can we in our countries do the same? Can we put a sign ” Americans Only”?
Can Germans do the same and put a sign Germans Only?
Or are only the Japanese allowed to do that?
YTSL says
I read of that place doing this and getting lots of criticism from fellow Japanese people, including those pointing out that the majority of Wuhan coronavirus cases in Japan have involved Japanese people.
https://soranews24.com/2020/02/22/tokyo-ramen-shop-owner-sets-japanese-only-rule-as-countermeasure-against-coronavirus/
And, in fairness, there also are Hong Kong restaurants that have put up signs that they want only Hong Kong customers for now because of the Wuhan coronavirus scares…
Lee says
Yeah, it really doesn’t make any sense at all, but as you pointed out, it’s clearly not just a Japanese thing. Discrimination, and/or knee jerk reactions it would seem, are simply just a human thing…
YTSL says
Following from that: my favorite sushi-ya in Hong Kong has a Japanese chef who is very Japanese and can’t imagine making sushi with gloved hands. The day before my most recent visit, he had a first-time customer (not Japanese, probably local Hong Konger) who walked into the place, freaked out upon seeing him with bare hands and unmasked face, and promptly walked out. He says he’s not had any problems with regular customers (who — whatever their nationality — know he’s hygienic, etc.). So if need be, he’ll just cater to regular customers while all this is going on.
I wonder whether those restaurants with signs stipulating they only will accept customers of the same nationality as them really mean they prefer regulars/people who know what the unwritten rules of their restaurants are, etc. , so that there won’t be any hassles. Only by putting up the signs they do, they create more ill feeling, if not hassle, then anything.
Lee says
So many over reactions eh? Obviously the situation is far from ideal, but a bit more common sense a lot less panic is called for.
I did think of that to be be honest, but from what I’ve heard this place does have menus in other languages, so they have happily accepted foreign customers in the past. In that sense it’s worth giving him the benefit of doubt I suppose, but like you sad, such an approach really doesn’t help in the long or short term.
cdilla says
When we in an Omotesando Sushi establisment a personable, young and apparently affluent American couple sat next to us and after a few attempts at ordering what the staff recommended and asking us what we were eating and recommended finally asked in a little frustration “Don’t you have anything cooked?”.
It was all just down to a general misunderstanding/ignorance of what to expect. Rather nicely, when they decided to move on and tried to pay for the food they ordered and just looked at, the guy told them no charge and not to worry, it just wasn’t their thing.
We left just after them and saw them turn into a burger place 🙂
Lee says
That was such a nice response from the owner. I guess such episodes of confusion, unexpected dishes etc must play out all over the city every day. I certainly had a few of my own when I first came here. Some were pleasant surprises, some not quite so pleasant!
Ron Ouwerkerk says
Well, and the irony of it all is that the virulence of COVID19 is possibly less than the common flu. I heard about internet conspiracy theories that it was a biological weapon but honestly, the fatality rate is about 15% for those 84 and older. Under that, it drops to about 3% depending on other conditions while the common flu fatality rate is about 10 – 15% in the US, based on all ages and conditions. So pretty much the same as a natural mutating virus. The media has made a mountain out of a molehill in this case, I feel.
YTSL says
Actually, I don’t think the media has made a mountain out of a molehill with regards to the Wuhan coronavirus threat; this especially since too many people seem to think it’s less dangerous than the flu, etc. still.
https://www.scmp.com/comment/letters/article/3052328/coronavirus-threat-has-not-been-exaggerated-countries-must-act
Lee says
I’m not at all sure what to make of it. Far from ideal of course, but with the non-stop, often overly dramatic coverage and reactions, it’s hard to know how bad it really is when compared to something like the flu, and of course how bad it could actually become. Hope for the best while preparing for the worst I suppose.
Rohan Gillett says
To be honest, it makes me quite angry. And to see the same thing overseas also makes me angry, of course. Corona and all other viruses/diseases have no racial boundaries. It is so disappointing to see signs like this in front of businesses of any type. And to see it condoned is … words fail me 🙁
Lee says
Yeah, when it comes to reactions such as this, it sadly isn’t unique. If the virus continues so spread, we’ll likely see a lot more of them too…
Rohan Gillett says
Last night I went to Memory Alley and Golden Gai to take a few pictures. Most shops were lacking customer unfortunately, but at least I didn’t see any with these signs. And on another point, and a brighter one, shots like this really highlight how important photography still is as it documents the societies and times we live in. So it is actually a really great shot on numerous levels.
Lee says
Thank you very much. And yeah, totally agree about photography. Without it so much would be lost to the simple passage of time.
cdilla says
A great photograph, capturing a very specific window in time.
Love the four smiling and laughing photos on the wall.
The sign certainly is polite though, compared with those I’ve seen and seen previously mentioned here in Harajuku. No misunderstanding their alignment.
With our next visit only a month away there is a lot to think about.
Lee says
Cheers. Those smiling faces made it for me. A great contrast to the sign below them.
Tokyo is definitely a lot quieter. It’s noticeable in not especially touristy places as well. But otherwise life goes on pretty much as normal. There are a lot more people wearing masks, but on the plus side, there’s a lot more hand washing going on. So definitely not all bad.