Japan Sees Surge in 'Ghost Restaurants' Without Seating Amid Tax Policy Shifts

In Japan, delivery-focused restaurants that do not provide seating for customers are called "ghost restaurants."

After surging during the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequently slowing down, ghost restaurants are experiencing a rapid resurgence recently.

A pork bowl specialty restaurant in Tokyo is delivering completely different dishes, such as malatang or acai bowls, alongside its main business.

It is operating virtual stores that exist only online, known as "ghost restaurants."

The reason business owners are jumping into ghost restaurants even though they are busy with their primary businesses comes down to "taxes."

[Yamaji / Restaurant Owner: "Since the consumption tax on (delivery food) drops to 1%, there is a strong possibility that delivery customers will increase."]

According to a food and beverage tax reduction plan finalized by the Japanese government last July, the consumption tax for delivery and takeout food will be significantly lowered from the current 8% to 1%.

If the tax reduction is directly reflected in prices, a menu item that previously cost 1,080 yen, for example, would become 70 yen cheaper at 1,010 yen.

This trend is expanding to other sectors, including convenience stores.

Lawson has started operating Chinese and Western food brands exclusively for delivery across 1,700 stores nationwide, and major family restaurant chains have also begun developing delivery-exclusive menus.

[Sato / Family Restaurant Chain CEO: "We are steadily preparing in line with next year's consumption tax cut. We plan to develop ghost restaurants that match demand."]br />
A Nagasaki champon specialty brand has also launched delivery services, primarily focusing on the greater Tokyo metropolitan area.

[Yamashita / Nagasaki Champon Specialty Restaurant CEO: "I see this as an opportunity since the tax rate changes from 8% to 1%. If ingredient prices do not rise significantly, we plan to lower prices by about 7%."]

However, some forecasts suggest that the price-cutting effect may not be as significant as expected.

[Sakaguchi / Management Consultant: "If they lack their own delivery network, they have to rely on external delivery services, which incurs considerable costs, so profits may not be large."]br />
The government's consumption tax cut policy is reshaping Japan's dining landscape.

(Video by Moon Hyun-jin)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.