THE Japanese restaurant industry may be down, but it’s not out. At least, it is working hard to hold on: Eateries are coming up with innovative ideas, from one-for-one promotions to across-the-board price cuts to draw in customers who have been flocking to Japan to take advantage of the cheaper yen.

Eagle-eyed diners may have noticed more affordable options, even at upscale and Michelin-starred restaurants. Zeniya, for instance, is offering a set lunch for as low as S$88, and its top menu price has been revised to S$388 from S$450.  Michelin-starred Sushi Kimura now serves quick executive lunches at S$120, and high-end sushi-ya Sushi Sei has released a Valentine’s Day one-for-one promotion for its highest set-dinner menu of S$600. 

“Even my group of friends who dine out regularly have planned three to four trips to Japan this year,” says Karen Cheng, co-founder of Japanese restaurants Ichigo Ichie, Sushi Kimura and The Gyu Bar. “And this group of such diners make up my regular customer base.”