First Kitchen Mille-feuille Pork Cutlet Sandwich‏

First Kitchen has a limited edition mille-feuille pork cutlet sandwich, which is so named because the pork cutlet contains thin-cut layers of roast beef and therefore resembles the French pastry. An added yuzu sauce also distinguishes this from the typical pork cutlet sandwich.

http://www.first-kitchen.co.jp/news/?ym=201204#nw104

Photo is a web capture for explanatory purposes, copyright belongs to the company.

Suntory Carlsberg Euro2012 Promotion‏

Suntory is giving away tickets to be in the audience for TV shows taped in Tokyo related to this year's Euro2012 soccer tournament. The giveaway promotes Carlsberg, which goes through Suntory in Japan. Entry is via web form.

https://ssl1.suntory.co.jp/apl/btc/cp/CSUNB1205073/form

Photo is a web capture for explanatory purposes, copyright belongs to the company.

Freshness Burger Blue Cheese Burger

Freshness Burger is offering a limited edition Blue Cheese Burger made from Italian Gorgonzola blue cheese. Looks wonderful, but is a bit pricy at 620 yen. The accompanying special is a grenadine soda.

http://www.freshnessburger.co.jp/

Photo is a web capture for explanatory purposes, copyright belongs to the company.

S&B Marie Claire Curry Campaign

S&B Foods is conducting a campaign to promote their instant curry products with a Marie Claire goods giveaway. Entry is by postcard including product bar codes.

http://www.sbfoods.co.jp/campaign/curry/

Photo is a web capture for explanatory purposes, copyright belongs to the company.

Suntory Korean Shochu Giveaway‏

Suntory is giving away a set of Suntory beverages (both alcoholic and non-alcoholic) and a special set of drinking glasses to promote sales of Kyogetsu (鏡月), Korea's number 1 selling shochu brand in Japan. Entry requires filling out a form on the website.

https://ssl1.suntory.co.jp/apl/btc/cp/CSUNS1205151/form

Photo is a web capture for explanatory purposes, copyright belongs to the company.

ABC Health Report - Calcium Supplements, Food Labeling

This week's Health Report has two interesting food-related subjects, the relationship between calcium supplements and increased risk for heart attacks and the effectiveness of traffic light food labeling. Both of these subjects are evolving and no conclusions are reached, but it is interesting nevertheless.

http://www.abc.net.au/radionational/programs/healthreport/28-may-2012/4037628

House Make Mother Smile Photo Campaign

House Foods are holding a contest where the best photos of curry that would make mother smile win the entries plates and other kitchen items.

http://housefoods.jp/data/event/egao/index.html

Photo is a web capture for explanatory purposes, copyright belongs to the company.

7-Eleven Evening Coupons

7-Eleven is offering coupons for discounts on selected items, which can only be redeemed between the hours of 6 pm and midnight. The coupons can be found in stores or printed off the internet. Nice way to shift traffic to off hours.

http://www.sej.co.jp/cmp/yorutoku1205.html

Photo is a web capture for explanatory purposes, copyright belongs to the company.

ABC Science Show - Rising Temperatures Across Australia‏

More confirmation of climate change.

http://www.abc.net.au/radionational/programs/scienceshow/rising-temperatures-across-australia/4033876

Daiei Personalized Sake Gifts

Daiei is offering personalized shochu and sake containers for Father's Day (name plus happy Father's Day greeting). Orders have to be placed by the 31st.

http://www.daiei.co.jp/father/

Photo is a web capture for explanatory purposes, copyright belongs to the company.

Sapporo Zero Sparkling Campaign‏

Sapporo Beverage is giving away chances for household electronics to customers to enter a code attached to each bottle of their Zero Sparkling (zero calorie, flavored, carbonated drink) product.

https://zerospa.jp/cp/page.php?p=index

Photo is a web capture for explanatory purposes, copyright belongs to the company.

NPR - What's The Secret To Great Tomato Flavor?

Nice interview on Science Friday about how and why the taste of tomatoes has changed and what can be done about it.

http://www.npr.org/2012/05/25/153709184/whats-the-secret-to-great-tomato-flavor

Chocolatier HD iOS App Free

The iOS apps Chocolatier and Chocolatier HD are free this weekend - usually 250 yen or 3 dollars. The game includes recipes, ingredient sourcing and building a chocolate empire. I have just tried it a little, but seems interesting and certainly worth the price this weekend.

http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/chocolatier-decadence-by-design/id415915527?mt=8

BBC - More or Less with Ben Goldacre‏

This week on one of my favorite programs BBC's More or Less, one of my favorite commentators, Ben Goldacre, comments on publication bias and why it is a problem.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b01hxtmp

Nisshin Oillio 20 Year Canola Campaign

Nisshin Oillio is celebrating the 29th anniversary of their canola oil sales with a Quo card giveaway. The cards have photos of Kazuya Ninomiya (二宮和也), who appears in their commercials, on the special Quo cards. Entry is via special codes on the back of product labels.

http://www.nisshin-oillio.com/canola-20th/

Photo is a web capture for explanatory purposes, copyright belongs to the company.

Sapporo Barley & Hop Campaign‏

Sapporo Beer conducted a promotion to promote its new happoshu category beer (Mugi to Hop). The giveaway was same product.

http://www.sapporobeer.jp/sapporo_enq/0048/index.html

Photo is a web capture for explanatory purposes, copyright belongs to the company.

Lotteria 40th Anniversary Contest‏

Lotteria is holding a Facebook contest to celebrate their 40th Anniversary where people vote on their favorite Lotteria special burgers over the years and the winning item will be brought back for a limited time.

http://lotteria.jp/40th/election.html

Photo is a web capture for explanatory purposes, copyright belongs to the company.

Sapporo Bacardi Campaign

Bacardi goes through Sapporo Beer in Japan. Sapporo held a campaign to promote Bacardi in which the prize is product plus a book on office manners. Hard to imagine a book on manners to be considered a valuable prize outside Japan.

http://www.sapporobeer.jp/hppla/campaign/bacardi/index.html

Photo is a web capture for explanatory purposes, copyright belongs to the company.

Meiji Galbo Ball Voting‏

To promote Meiji Galbo Balls and Chips (light, aerated, crunchy chocolate snacks), Meiji is conducting a poll where people can vote for their favorite shapes (balls, chips, cubes) and flavors (chocolate, strawberry, almond) of the product. Voting results can be viewed in real time and 50 participants will receive limited edition Quo cards with pictures of Haruma Miura (三浦春馬) and Riesa Naka (仲里衣紗), the "talento" who promote the product line.

http://www.meiji.co.jp/sweets/chocolate/galbo/

Photo is a web capture for explanatory purposes, copyright belongs to the company.

Ohayo 20th Anniversary Pudding Campaign‏

Ohayo is giving away bread makers and special Peter Rabbit pillows to promote the 20th anniversary of its pudding line.

http://www.ohayo-milk.co.jp/info/20th.html

Photo is a web capture for explanatory purposes, copyright belongs to the company.

Lotteria Salty Scallion Chicken Burger

Lotteria is featuring a salty scallion or leek chicken burger. Coupons can be sent to internet enabled cell phones (pretty much all cell phones in Japan, not just smart phones).

http://lotteria.jp/topics/2012/topics05100001.html

Photo is a web capture for explanatory purposes, copyright belongs to the company.

Nissin UFO Yakisoba Noodle Campaign

Nissin is giving away kettles for boiling water and hot sandwich makers to promote its UFO yakisoba instant noodles. Entry is by postcard.

http://www.nissinfoods.co.jp/product/camp/data.html?camp_id=357

Photo is a web capture for explanatory purposes, copyright belongs to the company.

Morinaga Deserted Island Challenge

Morinaga is holds an annual "Little Angel" children's challenge where 30 middle school children are flown to a deserted island between Kyushu and Okinawa to have a camping and outdoor adventure for 5 days. The little angel comes from the company logo which features a cherub.

http://www.morinaga.com/mujin2012/

Photo is a web capture for explanatory purposes, copyright belongs to the company.

Morinaga BB536 Ichiro Campaign‏

Morinaga is conducting a promotion for their BB536 probiotic yogurt through a special Facebook page in which they are giving away 4 groups of two tickets for a trip to Seattle to see Ichiro play for the Mariners. Ichiro currently appears in commercials for this product.

https://www.facebook.com/bifidus.jp

Photo is a web capture for explanatory purposes, copyright belongs to the company.

Meiji Rich Pudding Promotion‏

Meiji is holding a campaign to promote its Rich Pudding line. Rich pudding comes in chocolate, espresso and fresh cream flavors. The campaign is giving away 100,000 yen in JTB travel certificates as the grand prize or 30 gold spoons as second prizes.

http://www.meiji.co.jp/sweets/dessert/rich-pudding/

Photo is a web capture for explanatory purposes, copyright belongs to the company.

Construction at Ebina MegMilk Snow Brand Factory (Video)

I don't usually go around taking photos of factories, but I just happened to be in the area of the Ebina MegMilk Snow Brand factory and saw that it is being expanded. That is in line with news in the industry newspapers about MegMilk Snow Brand consolidating Kanto area production at this factory.

ABC Science Show - Testing beneficial side effects of drugs‏

Anti-psychotic drugs may have the added benefit of reducing the occurance of lung cancer.

http://www.abc.net.au/radionational/programs/scienceshow/testing-beneficial-side-effects-of-drugs/4019864

Meiji Oishii Gyunyu 10 Year Campaign‏

Meiji is conducting a promotion to thank customers for 10 years of Good Tasting Milk (Oishii Gyunyu) which is the best selling milk brand in Japan. A proprietary process eliminates off flavors from developing during pasteurization. A breakfast table set (made of Hokkaido wood), several dinner sets and some refrigerator magnets are being given away. Entry is by postcard and requires answering a simple quiz.

http://www.meijioishiigyunyu.com/campaign/

Photo is a web capture for explanatory purposes, copyright belongs to the company.

Gusto Three Herb Pork Special‏

This pork special does not designate the origin of the pork as is common these days, but instead stresses a three herb mix (oregano, thyme and cinnamon) which helps make the meat extra juicy.

http://gusto-magazine.jp/menu/index.html

Photo is a web capture for explanatory purposes, copyright belongs to the company.

Gusto Happiness Campaign

Gusto family restaurants are conducting a campaign featuring the girls group Happiness. Winners (30 in the Tokyo area and 30 in the Osaka area) receive dancing lessons from the group. Other prices include electronics such as iPods. To enter, you have to attach a junior meal receipt to a post card.

http://gusto-magazine.jp/index.html

Photo is a web capture for explanatory purposes, copyright belongs to the company.

Gusto US Beef Specials

Here are two specials featuring US beef. The one on the right is chopped steak and contains 100% US Beef - thus the US trademark. The mixed sirloin steak/chopped steak on the left also contains US Beef but uses the more general US Beef trademark at the lower left. I just wonder why the US beef industry would have competing trademarks. Seems like at the very least the general trademark should appear on all items.

http://gusto-magazine.jp/menu/index.html

Photo is a web capture for explanatory purposes, copyright belongs to the company.

Gusto Featured Cakes

Here are 3 cakes on special at Gusto family restaurants: Uji Powdered Green Tea Roll (Uji green tea) Ganache Cake (Belgian couverture chocolate, Hokkaido cream, black cocoa power for cake) New York Style Rare Cheese Cake (high quality sour cream).

http://gusto-magazine.jp/menu/index.html#menu

Photo is a web capture for explanatory purposes, copyright belongs to the company.

Skylark Group Social Media‏

Here is an example of the social media currently used in Japan. Twitter (T) is big, Facebook (F) is catching on but still nothing like in the US, Hatena social bookmarking (B) only Japan and Mixi (M) a popular Japanese social media service.

http://gusto-magazine.jp/index.html

Photo is a web capture for explanatory purposes, copyright belongs to the company.

Burger King BK Ringo Burger

This campaign has finished, but I found it interesting even if only because it appears to refer to a fab four member unless you know a little Japanese. Ringo means apple in Japanese.

http://www.burgerkingjapan.co.jp/campaign/cp49.html

Photo is a web capture for explanatory purposes, copyright belongs to the company.

ABC Science Show - Cognitive and mood effects of soy products during the menstrual cycle‏

This segment deals with a study in progress, therefore no results yet.

http://www.abc.net.au/radionational/programs/scienceshow/cognitive-and-mood-effects-of-soy-products-during-menstrual-cyc/4006378

Burger King NY Sundae

I don't have a sweet tooth, so this does nothing for me, but it sure does look decadent enough to be a genuine US import. That is an soft cream topping on french toast.

http://www.burgerkingjapan.co.jp/campaign/cp47.html 

Photo is a web capture for explanatory purposes, copyright belongs to the company.

First Kitchen Two Face Marketing Strategy

The First Kitchen Two Face marketing strategy puts a traditional fast food face on their locations in shopping centers to appeal to families (read children) and school girls, while on shopping lanes leading to train stations, the stores have a slightly more subdued appearance and offer items such as pasta to attract business people and older students. They appear happily bliss to the negative connotations associated with Two Face in English.

http://www.first-kitchen.co.jp/two_face/

Photo is a web capture for explanatory purposes, copyright belongs to the company.

KFC Gouda Cheese Shrimp Cutlet Sandwich

KFC is offering a limited edition Gouda cheese shrimp cutlet sandwich with a special spicy sauce.

http://www.kfc.co.jp/menu/detail/index.cgi?pid=OR_sand_82

Photo is a web capture for explanatory purposes, copyright belongs to the company.

Mos Burger Umakara Burger

To celebrate their 40th year in business, Mos Burger is offering a Umakara Burger (deliciously spicy) which offers a generous portion of meat sauce plus a special spicy sauce.

http://www.mos.co.jp/cp/umakara/120313/

Photo is a web capture for explanatory purposes, copyright belongs to the company.

McDonald's Sakura Teritama Sandwich

This post might already be dated, but last month McDonald's had a limited run sandwich for the cherry blossom season. The sauce was pink to go with the pink cherry blossoms. The teritama series combines teriyaki sauce (teri) and a cooked egg (tama) on a pork sandwich.

http://www.mcdonalds.co.jp/quality/basic_information/menu_info.php?mid=9065

Photo is a web capture for explanatory purposes, copyright belongs to the company.

Nestle Clear Taste Liquid Coffee Caffeine 97 Free

Nestle has introduced a 97 percent caffeine-free, sugar-free entry to their clear taste liquid coffee line. Interestingly, they use Clear Taste as if it is a brand, but add no trademark symbol. Something I might check into if I find the time.

http://d.nestle.jp/nescafe/bottle/npl_ct_caffeineless_nonsweet_900m.html

Photo is a web capture for explanatory purposes, copyright belongs to the company.

MegMilk Snow Brand 50 Years of Camembert Cheese Campaign

MegMilk Snow Brand is celebrating 50 years of Camembert cheese sales by giving away Hokkaido steak sets to 1,050 people. Entry is by post card with a product seal glued to the back.

http://www.meg-snow.com/camembert/  

Photo is a web capture for explanatory purposes, copyright belongs to the company.

MegMilk Snow Brand Garlic String Cheese

MegMilk Snow Brand adds garlic to the flavors in their popular string cheese line. The other flavors are plain, smoke and chili pepper.


http://www.meg-snow.com/sakechee/ 

Photo is a web capture for explanatory purposes, copyright belongs to the company.

Morinaga Secretary Select Pudding

In collaboration with a women's magazine called City Living, Morinaga selected a panel of 7 secretaries from their readership and had them help develop this new line. The two flavors are mellow rum raisin and delicate custard. The product name gives sense that this product is being offered to an important customer by a secretary (秘書のおもたせプリン). It works in Japan, but might not translate well outside Japan.

http://www.morinagamilk.co.jp/products/brand/hisho/index.html

Photo is a web capture for explanatory purposes, copyright belongs to the company.

Morinaga Parm Almond Campaign‏

In conjunction with their new premium almond Parm bars, Morinaga is giving away product to people who fill in an online form.

http://parm-ice.jp/quiz/ 

Photo is a web capture for explanatory purposes, copyright belongs to the company.

Meiji Bulgaria Yogurt Drink Renewal‏

Meiji has renewed its Bulgaria drink yogurt with a new easier two-way cap which opens easily half way for use with an attached straw or all the way (while still being attached) for drinking directly. Special production technology provides a product with a creamy consistency (とろりん感) and larger cut fruit results in a pulpy texture (つぶつぶ).

http://www.meijibulgariayogurt.com/drink_sp/

Photo is a web capture for explanatory purposes, copyright belongs to the company.

Meiji Tokachi Cheese European Tour Promotion

Meiji is holding a promotion to celebrate the 20th Anniversary of their Hokkaido Tokachi cheese. The promotion occurs for a full year and is broken into 4 month periods. The grand prize each four months is an 8 day trip for 2 to a country through which the 43rd parallel passes (Italy, Spain, France), just as the 43rd parallel passes through the Tokachi region of Hokkaido. Second place prizes are 3 day trips to Hokkaido. Entry is via postcard by answering a simple quiz.

http://www.meijitokachi.jp/20campaign/indexA.html 

Photo is a web capture for explanatory purposes, copyright belongs to the company.

Morinaga Tower Records Event Collaboration

Morinaga is giving aways tickets to live music events sponsored by Tower Records around the country to promote its Jumbo line of wafer and chocolate covered ice cream (monaka). Entry is by postcard.

http://www.morinaga.co.jp/ice/syouhin/jumbo/tower/

Photo is a web capture for explanatory purposes, copyright belongs to the company.