Late-Night Restaurant Surcharges: A Model to Impose on Customers?

Ordering a ramen or a burger at 10:05 PM and seeing the bill automatically jump by 10% – this is a practice currently spreading across Japan as the restaurant industry faces an unprecedented crisis. Major Japanese chains have made their move: from now on, eating late will cost more.

© Ayumi Kubo

Why such a measure? The answer boils down to one word: shortage. Japan is running out of workers, and to attract the few available candidates, chains have had to hike base wages by 20%. Coupled with the legal 25% premium for night shifts, the financial equation is becoming increasingly complex for establishments operating on thin margins.

Starting March 2, 2026, this 7% to 10% "night tax" will serve as a financial lifeline to keep establishments open that would otherwise be forced to close their doors, as reported by France Info.

As some European countries face similar labor market tensions and constantly rising operational costs, the question arises: should our restaurateurs take a leaf out of Japan's book?

On one hand, it would help financially reward late-shift work without sacrificing the profitability of restaurant owners. On the other, it risks turning the "midnight snack" into a small luxury reserved for the few.

Between economic survival and public accessibility, Japan has just launched a debate that might reach our tables sooner than expected.