Kirin Tanrei Beer Featuring National Soccer Team

This is a preview of special Kirin Tanrei Green Label 2nd category beer cans which will go on sale April 22nd in the run-up to the World Cup. Nicely done, in my opinion. キリン 淡麗 グリーンラベル サッカー日本代表

http://www.kirin.co.jp/

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

Meiji VAAM Diet

This is interesting for a number of reasons. As some might know, V.A.A.M. stands for vespa amino acid mixture and was discovered in giant wasps who employ this special amino acid balance in order to fly extremely long distances. This was eventually tested in humans and ended up as a sports drink what is used by Japanese athletes, including an Olympic gold medalist marathon runner. The brand name drops the periods and becomes VAAM.

This is the newest version of that product and is obviously aimed at women - note the photo of the lady on the bike and all the pink on the label - and is called VAAM Diet.

The first interesting thing is the zero added sugar. Amino acids have notorious taste issues, so getting rid of the sugar is probably not very easy. Second, they are now using D-V.A.A.M. which means they have a new mixture, which they allude to in the explanation. The website shows the same 17 amino acids at the original product, so the proportions must have been tweaked. They say the new mixture is said to be aimed at being "smart", which in Japanese means thin and stylish. That is as close as they come to making a claim. Usually, the key in health products is to always advise a healthy exercise regimen first and then be evasive about possible added benefits of a specific product within that exercise regimen.

In any case, a product with an interesting history which continues to evolve. 明治 ヴァームダイエット

http://www.meiji.co.jp/

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

Yamazaki Crab and Tomato Sauce Pasta Lunch Pack

Yamazaki has introduced a blue crab and ripe tomato sauce pasta Lunch Pack as part of its Bistro Yamazaki series. The Bistro Yamazaki series includes premium selections to the basic Lunch Pack line.

The lunch pack series is extremely popular and can be found in any convenience store in Japan. The slices of bread are sealed along the edges, keeping the contents fresh longer.　ヤマザキ ランチパック 渡り蟹 完熟トマト パスタ

http://www.yamazakipan.co.jp/ 

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

Fujiya Nectar 50 Years

Fujiya's fruit juice brand Nectar is celebrating 50 years of sales. This is a period photo of a Fujiya vending machine as they looked in the 1970s and 1980s. 不二家 ネクター

http://www.fujiya-peko.co.jp/

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

Tully's Strawberry & Blueberry Pancakes

Nice looking pancake with strawberries, blueberries and two different sauces, also strawberry and blueberry. タリーズ コーヒー

http://www.tullys.co.jp/

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

Suntory Horoyoi Peach Chuhai

There are many seasonal products in Japan and very frequently, these products follow seasonal flavors. Peach season is upon us, so there are many peach-flavored products being introduced. (We are on the downside of strawberry season.)

This peach flavored Suntory chuhai is a good example. Chuhai is shochu, a Japanese distilled alcohol, mixed with a fruit juice usually, and sometimes another mixer. Chuhai are typically popular with females. サントリー チューハイ

http://www.suntory.com/

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

Mercian Every Wine Campaign

Mercian, which is a Kirin company after a purchase several years ago, has introduced a wine called "every" which is meant for "everyday, everywhere, everyone", and they explain that it has an expensive taste at a reasonable price. They are holding a campaign where after clicking through several layers of age verification, you can spin an online roulette wheel to win a chance at free bottles. No purchase is required, but it is connected to either your Facebook or Twitter account limited to one spin a day (per account). メルシャン ワイン

http://www.kirin.co.jp/products/wine/every/

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

7-Eleven's First Ehime Store

Surprisingly, at least to me, 7-Eleven is opening its first stores, 3 simultaneously, in Ehime Prefecture, Shikoku, this month. Even though 7-Eleven seems to be on almost every corner in many parts of Japan and has more outlets here than in any other country, there is still virgin territory, entire prefectures, waiting for domination. セブンイレブン 愛媛県

http://www.sej.co.jp/

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

Lotteria Thick and Melty Burgers

Lotteria is selling burgers that it touts as thick and melty because they have cheese inside the meat patties. They look pretty good and come in regular, added cheese (yes, that is in addition to the cheese inside the patty), and added egg. All use a demi-glace sauce.

http://www.lotteria.jp/

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

Yamazaki Lunch Pack Scenery Photos

Yamazaki is inviting customers to post photos of their favorite Lunch Pack sandwich variety with scenery that matches on the Lunch Pack Facebook page. I see no mention of any awards.

http://www.yamazakipan.co.jp/

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