Uchida Mayumi talks about the challenges Yakiniku IWA currently faces during the coronavirus disaster

Former AKB48 member Uchida Mayumi (27), best known as the first member to win the AKB48 Janken Tournament in 2010 and become a center for the single “Chance no Junban” and also to have her own yakiniku restaurant in Shinjuku, Yakiniku IWA.

The restaurant is celebrating its 7th anniversary and is still repaying a debt of 50 million yen (about $478,000 US). Uchida talked to News Post Seven of the challenges her restaurant is facing during the second State of Emergency.

Uchida is currently trying to pay off her debut, due to the corona disaster, the repayment amount has been reduced.  Her  original plan was to pay it off in five years but now it’s ten years.

Former AKB48 members are working part time at the restaurant such as Okada Ayaka, Aigasa Moe, Hashimoto Hikari and Iino Miyabi.  Even Shimazaki “Paruru” Haruka worked part-time at the restaurant for three days

When asked if everything is going okay with the restaurant, Uchida said, “It’s very painful.  It’s tough enough to call it the worst in our history.  Compared to good times, sales are down 90%.  At the time of the first state of emergency, the number of customers were small but at that time, we focused on outdoor delivery. But when it came to the Second State of Emergency, the orders did not grow, because the energy to consume was lost.  I couldn’t get hire many part-time workers, so I was taking a rest while apologizing. It’s nice that our part-time job girls and customers can enjoy conversations, but it makes me sad that it we can’t do this because we have to keep our distance”.

When asked about what she is planning during the recession, Uchida said, “Originally, many people came from far away, so we made our efforts to sell meal tickets that can be used later online and to make take-out menus and lunch boxes, so people can come again when Corona starts to lower.  We are also planning on a new menu.  I recently thought about vinegar sour.  I also like apple cider vinegars, I wanted to improve my immunity during this time, so I made a healthy menu.  The proportion of vinegar is difficult, so I like sourness, but I made it to suit the taste for people as much as possible.  I added sliced fruits to make it look cute”.

When asked if the 60,000 yen a day is enough (Note: In Japan, with the second State of Emergency, restaurants in Tokyo and two other prefectures are given a flat rate of 60,000 yen per day), Uchida said, “I’m grateful, but it’s not enough at all”.

When asked about the shortened hours and having to close at 8:00 p.m., Uchida said, “When I asked on Twitter, what would I do if the last order was at 7 p.m., many responded, ‘I won’t go at 7 p.m.’.  Some people said, ‘Do your best!’.  Due to the earlier closing time, we moved forward one hour from the original start at 5 p.m.  I didn’t have lunch originally but I’m thinking about starting it because it’s tough to only have business at night”.

When asked if she has a boyfriend because she no longer deals with love prohibition, Uchida said, “Not at all.  I am looking for a boyfriend! I’m the type that wants to do various things myself, so I’d like someone who can support me.  I want to go to Universal Studios for a date.  I haven’t done much youthful things, so I’d like to go to an arcade or such places together”.

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