Sushi war: Police investigate CEO in alleged data theft against rival restaurant

The president of Kappa Create Co., Koki Tanabe, is under investigation for allegations of unlawfully obtaining trade secrets from rival Hama-sushi Co.

The Metropolitan Police Department searched the head office of Kappa Create Co., which operates the Kappa Sushi restaurant chain, on suspicion of violating the Unfair Competition Prevention Law.

Tanabe is suspected of receiving emails about Hama-sushi’s daily sales data and other corporate information between November and mid-December.

Tanabe previously worked at the parent company of Hama-sushi, Zensho Holdings Co.

A former Zensho Holdings colleague reportedly sent him the emails in question.

Kappa Create, which had asked Tanabe about his involvement in the incident, said it deeply apologizes for causing great trouble to Hama-sushi.