President Of Major Sushi Chain Nabbed For Stealing Rival's Trade

The president of the operator of Japanese major conveyor belt sushi bar chain Kappa Sushi was arrested on Sept. 30 on suspicion of fraudulently obtaining trade secrets of a rival company, police said, Hitomi Takai reported for Mainichi Japan.

Photo Insert: Kappa Create Co.'s rival, Hama-Sushi

The Metropolitan Police Department arrested Koki Tanabe, 46, president of Yokohama-based Kappa Create Co., on suspicion of violating the Unfair Competition Prevention Act.

Tanabe, who previously worked at Zensho Holdings Co., the parent company of sushi chain Hama-Sushi Co., moved to Kappa Create as an advisor in November 2020, and was appointed president in February 2021. He has served as a director for Hama-Sushi during his time at Zensho Holdings.

According to investigative sources, Tanabe is suspected of illicitly taking data, including the cost of purchasing commodities managed at Hama-Sushi, from the sushi chain around October 2020, when he still belonged to the company.

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