Soup’s Sales No Joke to Officials

TOKYO — Spurred by the claims of a self-appointed health “expert,” a humble vegetable soup has become the talk of Japan. Even the prime minister swears by it, and sales are booming.

Its advocates say the soup--a stock made from radishes, carrots, dried mushrooms and burdock root--can prevent cancer, cure diabetes, lower blood pressure and vanquish hangovers. Its detractors, health experts among them, say the concoction could not possibly live up to those claims and that Kazu Tateishi, the former taxi driver who is its chief promoter, is a fraud.

Tateishi’s book, “How to Become Healthy With Vegetable Stock,” has been on bestseller lists since April. His publisher, Tokuma Shoten, admits that Tateishi is not a doctor, as the author had previously claimed. Tateishi was a hit on the lecture circuit, and he charged $150 to $180 to examine and advise “patients.” Tateishi was arrested last month on suspicion of practicing medicine illegally.

Still, the stressed and the health conscious are buying cans and boxes of the soup by the case, and suppliers say they are hard-pressed to keep up with demand.