Snacks firm Aji Ichiban shut down
The snack food franchise, Aji Ichiban, confirmed on Tuesday that it had closed up shop. A company spokesman said its last four branches were shut on Monday night, citing a drop in business as the tourism industry was badly hit by the pandemic. The other branches were closed earlier when their leases expired, the spokesman added. The Department Stores & Commercial Staff General Union said Aji Ichiban had been running about 30 branches across the city, and about 100 workers were affected by the shutdown. Established in 1993, Aji Ichiban was a major snacks chain selling dried fruits and pork jerky, among other delicacies. The Department Stores & Commercial Staff General Union said at its peak, the snacks firm had 100 outlets and employed about 700 staff. The union, along with several other groups, said in a statement that the closure of Aji Ichiban and the Jumbo Floating Restaurant showed the difficulties facing businesses that relied on tourists. The groups urged the government to put in place quarantine-free travel arrangements as soon as possible to help companies stay afloat. The groups also promised to offer assistance to Aji Ichiban staff affected by the closure.