Overview
- The Supreme Court’s First Petty Bench, led by Chief Judge Toru Sakai, dismissed the restaurant chain’s appeal on March 5.
- Hanryumura, which operates the KollaBo chain, alleged a 2019 update cut its Tabelog scores by up to 0.45 points and reduced customers and revenue.
- A 2022 Tokyo District Court ruling had ordered Kakaku.com, Tabelog’s operator, to pay ¥38.4 million for abusing a superior position.
- The Tokyo High Court in 2024 overturned that judgment, finding the scoring adjustment had rational aims and that a ratings drop alone did not prove serious competitive harm.
- The Supreme Court’s unanimous four-judge decision, reported by Jiji, confirms Kakaku.com’s reversal win and ends the damages claim.