Behind the Controversy: A High-End Sushi Chef 'Sushi Yoshida' Speaks Out on the Aftermath of the Viral Incident

In 2024, few sushi restaurants garnered as much attention as "Sushi Yoshida," a high-end establishment in Minami-Azabu, Minato Ward, where the average bill per customer exceeds 50,000 yen. The restaurant became the center of a viral social media storm in late January when a female customer, referred to as "Ms. A," alleged that she was nearly struck by the chef. Her post on X (formerly Twitter) amassed over 300 million impressions, making it one of the most talked-about incidents in Japan’s dining scene.

According to Ms. A, the controversy began when the chef placed a bottle of white wine—offered by another guest—on the counter in front of her. Due to a hangover, she requested that it be moved to the opposite side, as the sight of it made her feel unwell. The chef allegedly reacted with visible displeasure, and as she was leaving, she remarked, "I've never experienced a sushi restaurant like this before." It was at this moment, she claimed, that the chef appeared to lunge at her in anger. To support her claims, she shared a photograph depicting the chef with a tense expression, being restrained by his apprentice.

The incident gained traction partly due to Ms. A’s online persona. Past posts suggested she worked in a lounge, leading many to label her a "Minato Ward Girl"—a term that fueled further debate. The situation escalated as internet users attempted to uncover her identity, intensifying the controversy.

During the initial media coverage, NEWS Post Seven received testimony from a regular patron who provided a different perspective: "Ms. A and her companion were taking numerous photos and videos, despite a strict policy against non-culinary photography. This was the true cause of the conflict." At the time, Chef Yasutaka Yoshida, the owner of Sushi Yoshida, refrained from making statements, only telling reporters, "I'm discussing the matter with my lawyer..."—a comment delivered with an air of exhaustion.

A Supposed Reconciliation—and the Chef’s Side of the Story

By March, Ms. A took to X once again, announcing, "I have reconciled with Sushi Yoshida." She went on to describe how she had since become a regular customer, portraying a warm rapport with the chef. Her online presence flourished in the wake of the controversy, even leading to her debut in the gravure industry. In a June interview with NEWS Post Seven, she revealed ambitions of saving money to start her own business.

Nearly eleven months after the incident, the NEWS Post Seven team revisited Chef Yoshida to hear his side of the story. While initially tight-lipped, the passage of time had given him a degree of detachment. "I don’t want this issue to escalate again," he said with a wry smile. "I’d prefer to put it behind me." Nevertheless, he candidly shared his thoughts on the situation.

"Reconciliation? That’s not the case."

"It’s not a reconciliation," he asserted. "She’s the one calling it that. She came to the restaurant, and I accepted her apology, telling her, ‘Please don’t engage in disruptive behavior again.’ Everyone makes mistakes, so I forgave her once and didn’t ban her from the restaurant. But that’s all it was—an understanding that she wouldn’t repeat her actions.

Yet she went on social media claiming we had ‘reconciled.’ That’s something I should be the one to declare, not her. The problem was that she unilaterally framed the situation in that way. My restaurant thrives on regular customers who understand our culture, so I chose to remain silent."

On the Fallout from the Incident

When asked if the controversy had impacted his clientele, Chef Yoshida admitted, "Some customers did stop coming. It’s only natural—if they see a post saying ‘we reconciled,’ some will question, ‘Why would you reconcile with someone like that?’ But during the incident, I was only trying to protect my regular customers. I won’t tolerate behavior that disrupts other diners."

The Influence of Social Media

Chef Yoshida was taken aback by the scale of the incident. "It was shocking. The photo was striking, and the video clip that circulated was selectively edited," he noted. "We have always prohibited filming non-culinary aspects of the restaurant. I had to intervene because they kept recording despite being asked to stop. Conversations from other tables were being captured, which has led to conflicts between guests in the past. That’s why we enforce a strict no-photography policy for anything beyond the food."

Regarding the viral photograph that appeared to show him lunging at Ms. A, he explained, "My apprentice was simply stepping in to defuse the situation. Those who know me understand the reality of what happened, so I chose not to respond publicly."

Ms. A’s Rise in the Entertainment Industry

Since the controversy, Ms. A has pursued a career in entertainment, but Chef Yoshida remains indifferent. "I don’t know what kind of life she wants to lead, but to each their own. Earlier today, a longtime customer told me, ‘I knew you wouldn’t reconcile with her.’ I reassured them, ‘That’s correct, we did not reconcile.’"

Looking Ahead

Despite the upheaval, Chef Yoshida remains firm in his principles. "There will always be problematic customers—some might even smoke in the restroom. If they reserve the entire venue, that’s one thing, but disturbing other guests is unacceptable. Just recently, a Hollywood star dined here, and when another customer started filming them, I had to intervene."

For him, the true value of Sushi Yoshida goes beyond exquisite sushi. "If you’re paying this much, of course the sushi must be excellent. But our pricing also reflects service, ambiance, and an overall dining experience. That’s why I won’t compromise on etiquette. I will call out loud voices, inappropriate conversations, and any behavior that disrupts others."

"Reconciliation"—A Misconception

"Reconciliation is something I would declare, not her. She was the one at fault. But frankly, I have no interest in dwelling on this. I don’t want to waste energy on it. My focus is on providing a meticulously curated experience for my guests."

With a lingering sense of frustration, Chef Yoshida continues to craft his sushi, determined to uphold the integrity of his restaurant and the satisfaction of his loyal patrons.