No doubt needing to explain why they can label beers such as Style Free and Blue Label as zero sugar while they still contain carbohydrates, this special page lays out the definitions for the different carbohydrate categories.
炭水化物 (tansuikabutsu) carbohydrates plus fiber
糖質 (toshitsu) carbohydrates (alcohol, long chain sugars, short chain or simple sugars)
糖類 (torui) simple sugars (mono- and di-saccharides)
The zero sugar refers to the third category simple sugars. This includes most sugars of popular concern such as glucose and fructose. I doubt most customers are interested in this degree of detail, but it seems reasonable to me.
http://www.asahibeer.co.jp/customer/tourui-toushitsu/
Photo is a web capture for explanatory purposes, copyright belongs to the company.
Asahi Blue Label is Asahi's 3rd category variation on its popular Style Free zero sugar 2nd category beer. It promises a crisp taste which is well worth drinking. アサヒブルーラベル
http://www.asahibeer.co.jp/bluelabel/
Photo is a web capture for explanatory purposes, copyright belongs to the company.
Caramel Brown is a 3rd category beer which uses North American bitter hops, European caramel malt and is produced using decoction mashing. This product has a limited run. サントリー デコクション製法
http://www.suntory.co.jp/beer/caramel/about/index.html
Photo is a web capture for explanatory purposes, copyright belongs to the company.
While this is a straight forward favorite, probably world-wide, two small things do strike me as worthy of mention. Although brownies are available if you look hard enough, many if not most Japanese need to have the exact nature of a brownie explained to them. Not a cookie, not a cake, a brownie. Also, there is no basic chocolate ice cream available from Haagen Dazs. Plain vanilla is fine, but chocolate requires further categorization. ハーゲンダッツ
http://www.haagen-dazs.co.jp/products/minicup/chocolate-brownie.html
Photo is a web capture for explanatory purposes, copyright belongs to the company.
McDonald's is bringing back 150 yen fries for a two week period starting Friday. All sizes go for the same price during this promotion.
http://www.mcdonalds.co.jp/campaign/potato_150/index.html
Photo is a web capture for explanatory purposes, copyright belongs to the company.
Meiji and Kamome have collaborated on adding chocolate to Kameda's popular Kaki no Tane 柿の種 snack. The resulting product has a specially developed chocolate coating the small rice cracker bits and almonds. This also fits in well with Meiji's 50th anniversary of Meiji Almond Chocolate. 明治 亀田製菓
http://www.kamedaseika.co.jp/info/2012/11/20121119_choco.html
Photo is a web capture for explanatory purposes, copyright belongs to the company.
Macadamia Nuts are very popular in Japan with all major chocolate companies selling prominent macadamia chocolate bars. This offering adds macadamia nuts to butterscotch flavored ice cream. マカデミアナッツ ハーゲンダッツ
http://www.haagen-dazs.co.jp/products/minicup/macademia-nut.html
Photo is a web capture for explanatory purposes, copyright belongs to the company.
Le Lectier pear trees were imported from France to Niigata Prefecture in the early 20th century and thereafter have been associated with Niigata. The special Niigata KitKat variety has Le Lectier pear flavored wafers covered in white chocolate.
http://d.nestle.jp/kitkat/omiyage/kk_lalectier.html
Photo is a web capture for explanatory purposes, copyright belongs to the company.
Through the end of the year Wendy's is selling a Mushroom Melt Burger. Looks good. Discount coupons are available to people who sign up for the newsletter on their cell phones.
http://wendys.co.jp/wendys/index.php
Photo is a web capture for explanatory purposes, copyright belongs to the company.
Wendy's in Japan is continuing to push the line between fast food and conventional restaurants. Along with super premium sandwiches like the Lobster-Caviar Burger, they are now offering Budweiser beer or Carlo Rossi wines with burger sets. Each alcohol option is available for 400 yen separately, or for and extra 200 yen when ordered as part of a set.
http://wendys.co.jp/wendys/index.php
Photo is a web capture for explanatory purposes, copyright belongs to the company.
