Family behind Japan's Michelin-starred restaurant arrested over food poisoning violations

By Hoang Vu June 17, 2025 | 07:43 pm PT

People enjoy drinks and food at an izakaya pub restaurant at the Ameyoko shopping district, in Tokyo, Japan, Feb. 15, 2024. Photo by Reuters

Three members of a family operating a formerly Michelin-starred restaurant in western Japan have been arrested for defying a temporary closure order following a series of food poisoning incidents.

Hirokazu Kitano, 69, his wife Noriko, 68, and their son Hirotoshi Kitano, 41, were taken into custody on Monday suspicion of violating the Food Sanitation Act, New York Post reported.

The trio runs Kiichi, a traditional Japanese restaurant in Kawachinagano, Osaka Prefecture, which was recognized with a one-star rating in the Michelin Guide for the Kansai region during the 2010s.

The restaurant was ordered to suspend operations in February after dozens of customers reported symptoms such as diarrhea and stomach pain, according to Kyodo News Agency.

Some of those affected tested positive for norovirus, a highly contagious illness that can cause vomiting and diarrhea.

Despite the suspension, the restaurant reportedly continued selling bento boxes. After another 23 patrons who dined at Kiichi between Feb. 22 and 24 fell ill, with norovirus again confirmed, authorities issued an indefinite closure order starting March 2.

Health officials say the restaurant's continued operations during the suspension period breached food safety regulations, prompting the arrests.