Restaurant says 'we're sorry' over 'deeply hurtful name'

A JAPANESE restaurant has been forced to apologise after receiving a backlash over its 'very offensive' name.

- BY ADAM MAIDMENT

JAP TO GO opened on Monmouth Road in Cheadle Hulme in December, but has caused a stir in recent months over its choice of name, which many have said bears too much resemblance to an ethnic slur.

Owners behind the Stockport restaurant, which serves the likes of poke bowls, bao buns and katsu curries, said the first part of its name is meant to stand for Japanese Authentic Perfection, but locals in the area said the name is 'offensive and ignorant'.

Calling out the restaurant on social media, one person said: "It is a very offensive word to Japanese people so it would be appropriate if you change the name and never use the word as stand for Japan."

Another said: "How could you possibly think this was acceptable? You claim it's out of "respect"? Calling us [the name] is not respectful. It's offensive and ignorant."