Kura Sushi investigates prize handling amid Chiikawa collaboration controversy

Kura Sushi is conducting an investigation into the handling of prizes during its collaboration campaign with the character Chiikawa. The controversy arose after customers reported spending significant amounts—some claiming up to 18,000 yen—without receiving any of the highly sought-after Chiikawa figures from the ‘Bikkura Pon’ lottery system.

Public suspicion intensified due to a massive volume of collaboration goods appearing on secondary market platforms like Mercari shortly after the campaign began. This led to online allegations regarding potential internal misconduct or improper inventory management.

In official statements, Kura Sushi explained that the lottery machines are not stocked with an equal distribution of all prize types; instead, they are replenished randomly from mixed boxes, which can result in perceived imbalances. The company stated it is investigating the facts regarding the improper handling of prizes and has committed to strict management, including the use of locked warehouses and multi-person verification for replenishment. Kura Sushi noted that if any improper actions are confirmed, it will take strict disciplinary and legal action.