YOKOTA AIR BASE, Japan — Air Force officials have shut down a Chili’s restaurant at Yokota in western Tokyo, but have yet to release details from an inspection that led to the decision.
“Citing a recent public health inspection, the 374th Airlift Wing Commander has taken the proactive approach to close Chili’s Bar and Grill until further notice,” the Yokota Force Support Squadron announced Thursday on its official Facebook page.
The notice did not give a specific reason for closing the popular restaurant.
The facility was “sanitary at all times” but “other concerns were raised that caused the commander to take precautionary steps to close Chili’s,” the notice said.
Inspections are handled by the 374th Medical Group Public Health section, said officials who did not respond Friday to a request for a copy of the public health inspection report. Such reports are considered public record throughout the United States.
The restaurant will undergo “deep-cleaning” and preventive maintenance while staff participate in additional training during the closure, 374th Airlift Wing spokeswoman Kaori Matsukasa said Friday. Empty shelving units were seen Friday afternoon in the restaurant’s parking lot.
“While closed, [Civil Engineering] will conduct their periodic kitchen exhaust duct cleaning and inspection, as they do for other base restaurants,” Matsukasa said.
