Major Izakaya Operator to Close 20% of Outlets in Tokyo

The Yomiuri Shimbun

12:41 JST, January 16, 2021

Major izakaya chain operator Monteroza Co. plans to permanently close nearly 20% of its 337 outlets in Tokyo, including Uotami and Shirokiya locations, amid the coronavirus pandemic.

In response to the government’s declaration of a state of emergency, Monteroza decided to close 61 of its 337 outlets, having determined that shorter business hours would not be profitable, it said Friday.

The company also said the Tokyo metropolitan government has indicated that major restaurant operators are not eligible for the related grants paid by the metropolitan government — which will make it difficult for the firm to maintain about 20,000 jobs, including those of part-time workers.

“We have made this hard decision to get through this difficult period by saving on rent to reduce our financial strain, even if only slightly,” an official of the firm said.