Kyoto eel shop chief arrested over origin fraud
Bastillepost · 1 SOURCESabout 1 hour ago2 MIN
Summary
A 54-year-old president of a Kyoto eel specialty business has been arrested on suspicion of violating Japan’s Unfair Competition Prevention Act after allegedly passing off Chinese eel as domestically produced eel from a famous Japanese growing area. The business operated a physical restaurant and retail outlet in Fushimi Ward, Kyoto, as well as an e-commerce site that used similar origin claims to attract customers. Investigators said the company’s menus and website promoted eel from Isshiki, Aichi Prefecture, and the Mikawa area, but customers were actually supplied with Chinese eel. Police are now examining when the alleged mislabeling began and how widely the products were sold
Key Points
- Police said the suspect ran an eel restaurant and retail shop in Kyoto’s Fushimi Ward and was arrested over alleged false origin labeling
- Menus reportedly claimed the shop carefully sourced eel from Isshiki in Aichi Prefecture, a well-known domestic production area
- The company’s online store also said it had long selected farmed eel from the Mikawa area of Aichi Prefecture
- One online set containing six grilled eel fillets and three packs of sansho-simmered eel was sold for 36,000 yen
- Investigators said authentic Japanese domestic eel made up less than 1% of all eel sold through the store and website
Why It Matters
For Hong Kong consumers who often buy Japanese food products at a premium, the case underlines how origin claims can directly affect purchasing decisions and trust in imported specialty foods. It also shows that online descriptions and in-store menus can become central evidence when authorities investigate suspected food-related misrepresentation