@Markgraf
Hanazono must get paid pretty stoutly to just drop 20,000 yen for that meal (that's a tad south of $200 if I'm converting correctly).
Probably writes it off as business expenses. "Market Research." It's amazing what you can get away with claiming on taxes.
Also, when it comes to Japanese business after hours, $200 is probably nothing. I know it's just her in this instance, but drinking culture is pretty heavily influenced in such office workers and corporate employees and you're highly... "encouraged" to attend. And said employees regularly drink like a god damn fish and order food while they're at it. Again, "Business Expenses."
It's one of the few aspects of Japanese work culture that I admire. Sure, they might work you to death and not pay you overtime and never give you enough days off, but at least the boss will gladly pay to get absolutely shitfaced with you because he hates his job, too.