Since August 21, Kura Sushi had been running a merch event in collaboration with Chiikawa, offering prizes such as figurines and teacups featuring designs of the popular characters.

According to the major conveyor-belt sushi chain, the company launched an internal investigation after finding large numbers of the prizes listed on online resale marketplaces and discovered that an employee had embezzled the items.

Kura Sushi said the event, scheduled through September 30, will be canceled starting September 6.

S/ Customer / People who come for the event will be disappointed.

S/ Customer / It’s upsetting because people who genuinely wanted the items won't be able to get them.

Kura Sushi says it has also consulted police regarding the employee's embezzlement.

The company said it is offering a 10 percent discount on all menu items on September 6 and 7 as an apology for canceling the event.