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Izakaya Closures Spike 50% as HUB Expands to 110

6/9/2026

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Summary

Story summary

88 izakaya closed from January to April 2026, a 50 % increase over 2025.
Higher food, drink and personnel prices and a staff shortage are making operations harder for owners.
Younger Japanese are drinking less, causing many after-work drinking parties to disappear as attitudes change.
The British-style HUB chain is expanding to 110 locations while using anime collaborations and YouTubers to attract tourists and locals.

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Story summary

88 izakaya closed from January to April 2026, a 50 % increase over 2025.
Higher food, drink and personnel prices and a staff shortage are making operations harder for owners.
Younger Japanese are drinking less, causing many after-work drinking parties to disappear as attitudes change.
The British-style HUB chain is expanding to 110 locations while using anime collaborations and YouTubers to attract tourists and locals.