Photo: IC

The coronavirus pandemic might have left many restaurants empty, but one establishment in Tokyo is relying on some "model customers" to enforce social distancing: life-like mannequins keeping diners from getting too close.

Masato Takemine's Chinese restaurant looks busy even as many businesses in the city deal with a dearth of clientele, with ladies in ornate Chinese-style dresses and a girl in a kimono among those seated at his tables.

However, the 16 customers are actually mannequins he has placed randomly at tables to keep diners from getting too close.

"With these mannequins, the restaurant looks busy from the outside, and I can make sure customers are distancing themselves. It's also fun," he giggled.