Hijiri Sato, 22, reportedly entered the restaurant in a disguise and threatened staff with a knife in a bid to clear out the registers.

However, workers recognised his voice and quizzed him on his identity.

Having been caught, the manager removed his mask and left the store empty-handed, but not before telling staff: “Watch out for robberies.”

They were left to wonder whether the robbery attempt was for real until the manager called police at work the following day, alleging that two people had stolen money from the restaurant.

After a criminal investigation, police concluded he had embezzled it.

Mr Sato is now facing charges of attempted robbery and embezzlement.