Takabashi Co., which operates the popular Kyoto ramen shop Honke Dai-ichi Asahi, posted on its website that the company bearing the Dai-ichi Asahi name is a separate entity with no capital, business, or franchise ties. The note followed reports that six people, including the president of that other firm, were arrested in Kobe on suspicion of illegal employment. The shop urged customers not to confuse the two and pledged to continue delivering authentic flavor and safe service.