A Japanese ramen restaurant in Osaka has sparked controversy after announcing a ban on Chinese customers, claiming they are “troublemakers.”
Iekei restaurant made the announcement on social media on January 4, saying a Chinese customer had caused problems that required police intervention. The post also claimed that 90% of the incidents involving foreigners at the restaurant were caused by Chinese patrons.
The announcement has drawn widespread criticism and accusations of racism, amassing 33 million views and 1,800 comments. Many questioned the validity of the “90%” claim, while others argued it was unfair to blame an entire nationality for the actions of a few individuals.
Some online users suggested that the real source of conflict might be the restaurant’s dual pricing system. Photographs of the outlet’s ordering machine show that the English menu, intended for non-Japanese speakers, is nearly twice as expensive as the Japanese menu. Critics noted that this policy could cause frustration, particularly for Chinese customers who can read Japanese kanji, derived from Chinese characters, and would notice the price discrepancy.
On January 7, the restaurant’s owner, surnamed Arai, responded to the backlash on a video platform, insisting that the dual pricing is aimed at “people who do not understand Japanese,” not foreigners specifically.
Critics countered that translation apps make such a pricing policy unnecessary. Some argued that while dual pricing is common at tourist attractions, it is rare in restaurants, and sudden price changes based on menu language are likely to cause complaints. Others questioned whether higher prices include extra products or services.
Some supported the owner’s stance, saying local customers should receive more benefits. The restaurant also operates a branch in Nara City, though the owner did not clarify how the ban on Chinese customers would be enforced.
This is not the first time such a controversy has arisen in Japan. Previously, a buffet restaurant in Tokyo faced backlash for charging non-Japanese speakers an extra 1,100 yen (US$7), while in July 2025, Okinawa’s Junglia amusement park made headlines for charging non-residents an additional 1,870 yen (US$12).
Japanese lawyer Mansaku Kanda told the law website bengo4.com that private businesses are allowed to set prices differently as long as the differences are reasonable and do not constitute “unreasonable discrimination.”
