Japanese 'Closed' Sign

I noticed in Japan, it is very common to have 'Closed' signs when a business is closed for the day.  It's like putting out a sandwich board announcing that you aren't open for business, which seems backwards here in N.America.  But for the Japanese, it makes sense.  In fact, many stores give you the hours they are closed instead of the hours they are open, especially convenience stores that are often only closed for 4-5 hours a day (for instance closed M-F 2am-6am).  But this picture isn't from Japan, but in Vancouver!  The restaurant? Suika on W.Broadway. Suika means watermelon in Japanese. Try it.  I hear it's good.  Make sure you don't see the closed sign though........