Japanese convenience store chain Ministop has suspended sales of deli items, including handmade rice balls (onigiri), bentos, and prepared foods, at all 1,600 stores nationwide following revelations of expiry date falsification at 23 franchise locations. Investigations found that some stores delayed applying expiration date labels by one to three hours after production and in some cases replaced labels on products already displayed to extend their shelf life. The issue was concentrated primarily in the Kansai region, with over half of the implicated stores located in Kyoto, Osaka, and Hyogo prefectures. Authorities, including Osaka prefectural officials and local health departments, have conducted or plan to conduct on-site inspections at several stores. Some store owners admitted to the practice, citing efforts to reduce waste and costs, with some falsification reportedly ongoing for one and a half to two years. Ministop has halted all in-store food preparation until the cause is fully investigated and corrective measures are implemented. The company maintains that the issue stems from labeling errors but acknowledges the seriousness of the misconduct. This incident has drawn domestic and international media attention, highlighting concerns about food safety and regulatory oversight in Japan's convenience store sector.