@savvy999:

"They're tipped in edamame, which U.S. waitstaff should seriously consider since you don't have to report it, and since the dollar will soon be worth about the same anyway."

They're way ahead of you on the tipping thing. Hooray for veggie tips!

Not that I necessarily believe in god. But I felt I had to point that out.

But we already have a monkey as president...

HEYOOOOO!!!! Someone had to say it.

Ohhh Yoshi I have way to much that waiter looks like a monkey.

Second, you have absolutely ZERO evidence to justify you spouting off about your suspected mistreatment of these animals. They explain how they trained the first, and there's no reason to think the others could/would not be trained in the same way.

I personally think you are just trolling and being an "angry vegan on a crusade" without any real facts (for this specific situation, not saying animal abuse does not occur).

Drop the party line already and get over yourself.

Won't someone think of the monkeys? (I kid, I kid)

Cheers!

@rockasocky: Thank you. This made my day.

In which case, this would be a total win-win for Americans. The monkey reduces your total serving size (by eating half your plate), your meal is overall cheaper.

Awesome. I so want a monkey, but the whole feces-flinging thing is dealkiller.

Only homo sapiens deserves to be treated that poorly.

Actually, I have - and I enjoyed a delicious burger right after.

Sounds like a bunch of monkey business to me.

Your attitude is so extreme that I almost want to think you're baiting us; a Troll.

@BeeBoo: That task is definitely more compatible to their nature plus is a reward in itself.

Once again, this proves my theory that monkeys make EVERYTHING better.

I would be concerned that they are being treated well, but I have to admit, this is the cutest thing I've seen in a long time!

The Izakaya (Japanese bar) itself (Kayabuki) is located slightly closer to Okamoto station, near the Hiraide industrial park.

They are following in the fine tradition of Jack the Railroad Baboon (Google it) who reliably operated a remote railroad switch and befriended a handicapped man.

I think the real ethical quandry, which the Supreme Court should possibly start pondering, is when a Washo, for example, signs that she does not want to participate in the research any more.

Nelson: "How many monkey butlers will there be?"

Bart: "One at first. But he'll train others."

To answer his question, when the monkeys decide to stop, perhaps they end up on the plate. The Japanese eat some odd things, maybe they would eat their own waiters too.

It seems they get smarter all the time.

The monkeys are actually better waiters than some really bad human ones,

Classic. Remind me to bring up the monkeys in any future waiter-related posts.

@GoVegan: You're just jealous of all the soybeans the monkey is getting, vegan.

Seriously though, many species of animal enjoy being trained and challenged. Monkeys are one of them, as are alskan sled dogs. Just because the monkeys are not in the wild does not mean they are being abused.

@se7a7n7: Funny. I always assumed that it was the cats that were running things on The Planet of the Apes. From behind the scenes of course, as is their nature.
Exhibit A: monkeys weren't allowed to drink milk.
Exhibit B: no visible containers of Perfect Oatmeal. Anywhere.

@Darkest Daze: Too bad we don't accord teen-aged jeans models the same respect we have for dumb animals. If you think the monkeys are exploited, surely the humans are too...

Really, though, if you can't see the funny in this, you're trying like hell to be offended.

(also waiting for feces-throwing, table-jumping, simian retort)

I would totally go to this restaurant, pet the cute monkeys, and give them edamame.

@GoVegan: Did you RTFA? The monkey started performing these "stunts" all on his own. The only difference is that now he is rewarded for his efforts with delicious edamame.

@IHaveAFreezeRay:

Kuso saru me!