Overview

• Hirokazu Kitano, his wife Noriko, and their son Hirotoshi were taken into custody on June 16 on suspicion of violating the Food Sanitation Act.
• Kiichi restaurant in Kawachinagano, Osaka Prefecture, was ordered to halt operations in February after customers reported diarrhea and stomach pain.
• Investigators discovered the restaurant continued service and sold 11 bento boxes on February 16 suspected of containing pathogenic microorganisms.
• Norovirus was confirmed among those affected, and nearly 80 people experienced vomiting and diarrhea before all recovered.
• Kiichi, a former one-star Michelin Guide Kansai listing, acknowledged poor hygiene management and issued a public apology in March.