Burger King is offering three choices of side soups (100 yen each), Boston Clam Chowder, Rich Corn Soup, and Beef Stew. The colors also play into the Japanese affinity for visual presentation of food including color.
http://www.burgerkingjapan.co.jp/campaign/cp97.html
Photo is a web capture for explanatory purposes, copyright belongs to the company.
Pronto is offering a special morning only coffee, which is slightly larger and less expensive than the normal M size offering. It also uses a superior milk which is supposed to retain more of the natural milk sweetness.
http://www.pronto.co.jp/campaign/2013/10/03-1.html
Photo is a web capture for explanatory purposes, copyright belongs to the company.
The finalists for the Meiji Karl versions worthy of a second go are as follows:
1) Shrimp Butter Soy Sauce (1999)
2) Butter Milk (1976)
3) Carbonara (1996)
4) Grilled Sausage (1996)
5) Bistro Hamburger (2001)
http://www.meiji.co.jp/sweets/snack/karl/
Photo is a web capture for explanatory purposes, copyright belongs to the company.
Pronto has been diversifying in recent years from simply being a coffee chain to also offering food and alcoholic drinks. They are currently offering a golden highball for 500 yen, which contains real gold leaf flakes. Gold leaf is actually not uncommon in Japan and can be sprinkled on foods to turn a fairly standard meal into something to talk about. Seeing it in drinks or having a national chain use gold leaf IS something unusual. The copy uses the phrase 大吉大利 which refers to good luck and prosperity in the new year. Obviously the image they are trying to convey. プロント ハイボール
http://www.pronto.co.jp/campaign/2013/12/post-1.html
Photo is a web capture for explanatory purposes, copyright belongs to the company.
Part of Wendy's Japan "Japan Premium" line-up, "The Chili Burger" looks pretty nice. It isn't cheap though (780 yen). Wendy's presence in Japan is still very limited and McDonald's profits are suffering due to popular ultra-cheap offerings off its 100 yen menu. Getting people in the store and making a profit can be a challenging proposition.
http://wendys.co.jp/
Photo is a web capture for explanatory purposes, copyright belongs to the company.
Meiji's popular Karl snack held a contest to determine which flavors to bring back. The winner was a flavor from 1999 - shrimp butter soy sauce flavor - with over 121,000 votes. Meiji Karl is one of the big brands in Japan that can get people excited over new flavors and offerings limited to specific towns or regions of Japan. 明治 カール
http://www.meiji.co.jp/sweets/snack/karl/
Photo is a web capture for explanatory purposes, copyright belongs to the company.
McDonald's has introduced an American Vintage '50s menu featuring two new sandwiches - honey mustard chicken and a double beef and egg. I had no idea these dated back to the US local diner era. I thought basic burgers, fries and milk shakes were the typical offerings, and chicken sandwiches made an appearance when Americans started to be concerned about red meat. I might have to chase down the details on that. In any case, these sandwiches do look good.
http://www.mcdonalds.co.jp/campaign/americanvintage/index.html
Photo is a web capture for explanatory purposes, copyright belongs to the company.
Burger King has introduced teriyaki burgers which it calls "Japan originals". Not quite a bold as previous ideas from Burger King Japan, and something that McDonald's has been doing for years, but certainly a taste suitable to Japanese palates.
http://www.burgerkingjapan.co.jp/campaign/cp105.html
Photo is a web capture for explanatory purposes, copyright belongs to the company.
Meiji is advertising its new LINE account featuring characters from its popular Kinokonoyama chocolate brand. LINE is the extremely popular free texting/calling social media service which is monetized by selling or charging companies to offer cute "stickers" (similar to emoticons). Therefore, users who register for the Meiji account can download Meiji "stickers" to send to their friends. Use if each type of sticker is limited to several months - presumably because the companies do not want an unlimited commitment. Nearly everyone with a smartphone in Japan uses LINE and I hear that it is gaining popularity in other countries as well. 明治 きのこの山
http://www.meiji.co.jp/sweets/chocolate/kinotake/line/
Photo is a web capture for explanatory purposes, copyright belongs to the company.
Tohoku limited edition Morinaga Hi-Chew candies in cherry and apple flavors. 森永 ハイチュウ りんご さくらんぼ
