Wendy's Snow Crab Special

As part of their premium line, Wendy's is offering a Snow Crab Special. Looks good, but the set comes to about 15 dollars US. In its current incarnation, Wendy's is still stuck at only 2 locations. Certainly not volume which can keep prices down. I'm glad they are around, just not sure how the numbers work out.

http://wendys.co.jp/

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

Suntory Full Body Beer

Suntory Full Body Beer is a limited real beer made with 100% malt and a strong 7% alcohol content. It promises a robust 飲み応え or nomigotae with is an increasingly frequently used marketing phrase literally meaning "return for drinking", which is open to interpretation as the Japanese blogs can attest.

http://www.suntory.co.jp/news/2013/11892.html?fromid=beer_top_pc

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

Suntory Winter Bubbles Beer

Another seasonal 3rd category beer that has run its course is beer from Suntory which claims wintery white bubbles that melt in your mouth. サントリー   くちどけの冬小麦

http://www.suntory.co.jp/beer/fuyukomugi/index.html?fromid=beer_top_pc

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

Suntory Fall Beer Akiraku

Suntory Fall Beer Akiraku which is a 3rd category beer and features 20% roasted malt for added aroma, has reached its end of life. Product turnover is Japan is quick. サントリー 秋楽

http://www.suntory.co.jp/beer/akiraku/index.html?fromid=beer_top_pc

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

Lotteria Ghana Milk Chocolate Fair

In a cross promotion which is surprisingly rare in my opinion, the Lotte conglomerate is promoting its Ghana chocolate line in its Lotteria fast food chain. For a limited time you can buy Ghana milk chocolate shakes, pies and french fry dip. That dip is an interesting idea. Meiji and Morinaga, the other large chocolate makers, don't have fast food chains of their own.

http://www.lotteria.jp/topics/2014/topics01090002.html

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

Burger King Ringo Swings

Burger King Japan is now offering a New York Whopper, which gets its name from "The Big Apple" and not because you would find a hamburger like this in New York. This Whopper includes grilled slices of apple, thus the connection. In Japanese, the word for apple is "ringo", so the promotion also uses the copy "Ringo Swings". In addition to the Whopper there is another smaller hamburger (not shown) which also includes apple slides.

http://www.burgerkingjapan.co.jp/campaign/cp109.html

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

Kirin Plasma Lactic Acid Bacteria

Kirin is using its size and market power to promote its probiotic they call plasma lactic acid bacteria (Lactococcus lactis JCM5805（プラズマ乳酸菌）). This strain has immunostimulatory activity and as there is not a claim category for that, the ads have to carefully keep from making a specific claim. When you navigate over to the R&D section it gives research results, but only uses the strain name and not any product names.

Among the products containing this probiotic are a yogurt drink, a water drink, a fermented lactic acid drink and a fortified drink which also contains DHA and Vitamin C.

http://www.kirin.co.jp/csv/plus-i/product.html#ctpla

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

Burger King BK Hot Colors

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 Morning Latte

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.

Meiji Karl Finalists

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.