The percentage of customers who made reservations at bars and restaurants was down to 40% between Aug. 3 and 9 compared to the same period last year because of the spread of the coronavirus, according to a survey.
The survey suggests that the number of customers who began going out again after the state of emergency was lifted in late May -- after being implemented on April 7 -- has begun to decrease again. There is a growing concern that the restaurant industry may experience further financial setbacks.
Toreta Inc., which offers reservation management services for eating and drinking establishments, analyzed the reservation data from about 10,000 bars and restaurants nationwide. The Tokyo-based company discovered that the number of customers dropped to as low as 7% from April 20 to 26 compared to the same period in the previous year. However, after the state of emergency was lifted, it gradually recovered and rose to 56% between July 20 and 26 compared to the same period last year.
The numbers dropped drastically again to 42% between Aug. 3 and 9. By prefecture, the percentage of customers who made reservations at bars and restaurants was at 47% compared to the previous year in Hokkaido. There was a similar decrease in Tokyo, which stood at 41%. It was 33% in Aichi Prefecture, 40% in Osaka Prefecture and 42% in Fukuoka Prefecture.
Bars and restaurants in central Tokyo were hit especially hard. The percentage of reservations made at establishments in Chiyoda Ward, where a lot of business and government offices are located, was down to 27% during the Aug. 3 to 9 period compared to the same time last year. In Shinjuku Ward, the home of busy shopping areas and entertainment districts, the percentage was at 29%.
"The profit margin is as low as 10% for many restaurants," a Toreta official said. "If it continues like this, it will be incredibly difficult for restaurants to stay afloat."
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