Trump's cheeseburger in Japan still drawing lines

Haruyuki Sano traveled 1 ½ hours for a taste of the same cheeseburger U.S. President Donald Trump ate with Japan's prime minister during his visit last week.

"It tasted great, like steak," the pastry-maker said after savoring the 100 percent U.S. Angus beef Colby Jack Cheeseburger at Tokyo's tiny Munch's Burger Shack on Thursday.

The lines out the door during lunchtime are getting longer than ever, thanks to Trump.

100 percent U.S. Angus beef burgers are ready to be served at Munch's Burger Shack restaurant in Tokyo Thursday, Nov. 16, 2017. The cheeseburger U.S. President Donald Trump had during his recent visit to Japan is still drawing lines at the Tokyo burger joint. (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko)

Trump's tough talk on issues such as trade and security tend to get a mixed response in Japan, which sees the U.S. as its most important ally and partner. But Trump's love for the Japanese take on the all-American hamburger is striking a chord with many here.

"I like Trump," said Sano, stressing that putting one's country first amid globalization made a lot of sense, and Japan should do that, too.

Yutaka Yanagisawa, owner of Munch's Burger Shack restaurant, prepares a burger at his restaurant in Tokyo Thursday, Nov. 16, 2017. The cheeseburger U.S. President Donald Trump had during his recent visit to Japan is still drawing lines at the Tokyo burger joint. (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko)

While better known for sushi, soba and tempura, Japan has had a long love affair with American food. So-called "premium burgers," which are twice the price or more of fast-food versions, are growing popular.

The "President Trump Set," a new addition to the menu at Munch's Burger, includes a serving of coleslaw and a side of fries with the cheeseburger and sells for 1,400 yen ($12). The juicy beef patty comes layered with crisp lettuce, melted cheese and tomato between hot soft buns.

These days, it's one of the most popular orders, says owner-cum-chef Yutaka Yanagisawa, who recalls Trump shaking his hand after eating the burger and saying, "Very good. Very good."

Customers have burgers at Munch's Burger Shack restaurant in Tokyo Thursday, Nov. 16, 2017. The cheeseburger U.S. President Donald Trump had during his recent visit to Japan is still drawing lines at the Tokyo burger joint. (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko)

"I felt so honored," he said, adding that all he could muster in reply was "thank you."

Since Trump wanted his meat well-done, that's how the order was placed for both burgers in case the servings get mixed up on the table.

"That would have been a disaster," Yanagisawa said with a laugh.

A line of customers queue up to have their lunch at Munch's Burger Shack restaurant in Tokyo Thursday, Nov. 16, 2017. The cheeseburger U.S. President Donald Trump had during his recent visit to Japan is still drawing lines at the Tokyo burger joint. (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko)

He has no idea why he was chosen. One of his two stores is near the U.S. Embassy in Tokyo, but it was the Japanese Foreign Ministry that reached out to him.

Yanagisawa was asked to bring the ingredients and his equipment to prepare the burgers, not just for the leaders but for an entourage of about 20 people, at a kitchen at the country club where the leaders were dining, he said.

Yutaka Yanagisawa, owner of Munch's Burger Shack restaurant, speaks during an interview with The Associated Press in Tokyo Thursday, Nov. 16, 2017. The cheeseburger U.S. President Donald Trump had during his recent visit to Japan is still drawing lines at the Tokyo burger joint. (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko)

The security checks were surprisingly simple, with no metal detectors, although a Trump staff member checked the food and watched the entire time he was cooking, he said.

The experience of eating out in Tokyo is increasingly about fun storytelling, such as sharing Instagram photos of meals, said Jotaro Fujii, a Tokyo-based food consultant and the founder of Subway Japan.

A menu showing U.S. President Donald Trump set is seen at Munch's Burger Shack restaurant in Tokyo Thursday, Nov. 16, 2017. The cheeseburger Trump had during his recent visit to Japan is still drawing lines at the Tokyo burger joint. (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko)

And so the "Trump effect" for the humble burger joint is expected to be huge.

"Talk of lines brings more lines," said Fujii. "Rather than mere taste, the value and joy come from being able to say: I had the same burger as Trump."

FILE - In this Nov. 5, 2017, file photo from the Prime Minister's Office Facebook page, U.S. President Donald Trump, left, listens to Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, right, during a lunch of hamburgers from Munch's Burger Shack at Kasumigaseki Country Club in Kawagoe, Japan.(Cabinet Public Relations Office of Japan via AP)

Munch's Burger Shack is up against some competition. Not only are there the ubiquitous McDonald's and Burger King chains, and relative newcomer Shake Shack, but Japanese burger joints are popping up, such as Shake Tree, which serves a breadless burger.

A 100 percent U.S. Angus beef Colby Jack Cheeseburger as part of U.S. President Donald Trump set is seen at Munch's Burger Shack restaurant in Tokyo Thursday, Nov. 16, 2017. The cheeseburger Trump had during his recent visit to Japan is still drawing lines at the Tokyo burger joint. (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko)

Yanagisawa's dream is to open a restaurant in New York. He hopes to show what Japanese sensitivity and attention to detail can bring to a burger.

"It must have that handmade element," he said. "More than anything, it is about the feelings you put in for the customer, in each and every burger."

TOKYO (AP) — Japan’s antitrust watchdog said Monday that U.S. search giant Google must fix its advertising search restrictions affecting Yahoo in Japan.

The Japan Fair Trade Commission said in a statement that its recent study of Google’s practices showed it was undermining fair competition in the advertising market.

Google said in an emailed statement that it has cooperated fully with the commission's probe, and stressed the commission has not found it had outright violated anti-monopoly laws. It promised to carry out the commission's directives to offer “valuable” search functions to Japanese users and advertisers.

Yahoo has merged with Japanese social media platform Line, and Line Yahoo declined comment.

The alleged questionable practices by Google began about a decade ago and continued for more than seven years, according to the commission.

Google will be under review for the next three years, to ensure it carries out needed changes, the commission said. There is no immediate fine or other penalties for Google, which remains popular among Japanese.

The commission’s move follows another setback for Google in Japan. Last week, Japanese doctors filed a civil lawsuit against the company, demanding damages for what they claim are groundless derogatory and often false comments.

The Tokyo District Court suit demands 1.4 million yen ($9,400) in damages for 63 medical professionals, for reviews posted on Google Maps.

Google said in response that it's working “24 hours a day” to reduce misleading or false information on its platform, combining human and technological resources “to delete fraudulent reviews.”

Yuri Kageyama is on X https://twitter.com/yurikageyama

FILE - The Google logo is photographed at the Vivatech show in Paris, on June 15, 2023. Japan’s antitrust watchdog said Monday, April 22, 2024, that U.S. search giant Google must fix its advertising search restrictions affecting Yahoo in Japan. (AP Photo/Michel Euler, File)