Budget Sushi Mogul Arrested For Allegedly Stealing Trade Secrets
Tokyo police have arrested the president of the operator of one of Japan's largest sushi chains on suspicion of fraudulently obtaining confidential information on a rival company.
The Metropolitan Police Department on Friday arrested Tanabe Koki, the president of Kappa Create, which operates the Kappa Sushi conveyer-belt restaurant chain.
Investigators allege that the 46-year-old president stole confidential corporate data from rival sushi chain Hama-Sushi in 2020 in violation of the unfair competition prevention law.
Tanabe served as an executive at Hama-Sushi before joining Kappa Create in 2020 as its new vice president. Last year, he was promoted to president.
Police also arrested a former subordinate of Tanabe's at Hama-Sushi and a senior official of Kappa Create.
Police were conducting an investigation after Hama- Sushi filed a criminal complaint last year.
Competition among five major operators of budget sushi chains, including the two companies, has become fierce as consumers seek cheaper options.