From vulnerability to resilience: how Japanese restaurants in Australia responded to the COVID-19 pandemic

Over the last two decades, Australia has led the global Japanese restaurant industry in growth. This article investigates how this burgeoning cross-cultural sector has navigated the COVID-19 pandemic. Through qualitative analysis, it reveals the vulnerabilities and resiliencies of Japanese restaurants in Australia, focusing on digital transformation, digital divide, labour and skill shortages, and institutional vulnerabilities. While some challenges align with the wider hospitality industry, distinctive issues specific to Japanese restaurants are identified. The study highlights how the pandemic amplified existing issues rather than creating new ones and examines how the distinct nature of Japanese restaurants, coupled with Australia’s political-economic landscape, influenced operator responses. Offering insights that transcend its Australian context, this study provides valuable information for both researchers and practitioners in the field.