Ito Ham Father's Day Image

Nice Father's Day image from Ito Ham. Their mascot character is in the shape of a piece of sliced lunchen meat. 伊藤ハム

http://www.itoham.co.jp/

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

Sapporo Yebisu Beer Father's Day Packaging

Sapporo is offering these special packaging on six packs of their Yebisu premium beer. The caption encourages you to give a toast to your father on Father's Day, and includes images of three of Japan's most popular manga father characters.

Ittestu Hoshi of Star of the Giants 「星一徹（巨人の星)
Kazumi Araiwa of Cooking Papa 荒岩一味（クッキングパパ）
Densuke Hamasaki of Fishing Fool's Diary 浜崎伝助（釣りバカ日誌）

http://www.sapporobeer.jp/news_release/0000020781/index.html

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

Pokka Sapporo Nippon Ham Fighters Can Coffee

Only available in Hokkaido, these Pokka Sapporo Beverage can coffee products carry the Nippon Ham Fighters professional baseball team design. Special stickers on the cans provide chances at discounts and free game tickets. ポッカサッポロ

http://www.pokkasapporo-fb.jp/fk/

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

Coca Cola Brazil World Cup Cans

Colorful Coke cans being sold in Brazil to coincide with the World Cup.

http://www.cocacola.co.jp/

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

Nikukai Chicken Waffle with Syrup

How about this, Nikukai (a Facebook meat lover's information and event group) suggests karaage (boneless fried chicken balls) on waffles with syrup. Have to admit I am a bit curious. 肉会

https://nikukai.dmm.com/

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

Yamazaki Crown Melon Cream Lunch Pack

A new Yamazaki Lunch Pack variety uses Crown Melons, which is a famous brand of muskmelon from Shizuoka prefecture. I just looked on the internet and they appear to go from 30 to 60 dollars a piece, but I think they can probably be found for much more. In any case, this set contains one Crown Melon cream sandwich and one whip cream sandwich and is categorized as part of their sweet series. ヤマザキ クラウンメロンクリーム

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

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

Calpis Mango Flavored Tapioca Pearl Drink

This is a variant on what is known as pearl milk tea, bubble tea or boba milk tea in the US, and which originated in Taiwan. This product is a mango Calpis drink line extension, packaged and distributed under the Elbee brand, the Asahi company which handles paper packaging. The "bubbles" are tapioca flavored konjac balls which are chewy, fun to eat and provide a certain sense of fullness. エルビー アサヒ タピオカ カルピス

http://elbee.asahishop.net/

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

McDonald's World Cup Series Italian Risotto Balls

As part of their World Cup Brazil series, McDonald's is offering these Italian fried risotto balls. They are made of whole grain rice with a creamy cheese center. One variety is tomato flavor and the other squid ink flavor (one of my favorite flavors actually). Look really good, but haven't tried them yet. マクドナルド

http://www.mcdonalds.co.jp/campaign/worldcup/taste/index.html#italy

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

MOS Burger Mister Donut French Cruller Sandwich

How about this sandwich? That would have been an interesting development meeting to be part of. This really is a cross between the offerings of both chains, with a pastry like bun and spicy filling. Here are the layers in order: French cruller bun, a spiral-shaped sausage, hot chilli sauce, onion, tomato, lettuce, mayonnaise, lower French cruller bun.

I went by and tried this and have to say it is actually pretty good, much, much better than I thought it would be. The chilli is spicy, but nevertheless goes fine with the cruller bun. Since it needs a little more texture to not fall apart, the cruller reminds me more of a waffle than a delicate pastry. モス ミスタードーナツ フレンチクルーラー

http://mosdo.jp/special/

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

Meiji Savas Protein Supplement

This is an interesting chart, although sort of confusing. It contrasts the merits of 3 different protein types: whey, casein, and soy. It then goes on to ignore casein and introduce products that contain either whey protein only, soy protein only, or a 50/50 mixture. This is also interesting coming from a dairy company which, most of which usually only praise dairy protein in the ongoing dairy protein vs soy protein debate. With the WHO coming out with a report last year which supports dairy protein as superior, one might have thought that the debate was over. In any case, this is a thumbnail of the points made:

1) whey protein contains branched chain amino acids, which help build muscle and support immune function and are quickly absorbed by the body. Therefore whey protein is good for "junior athletes" who want to get bigger and for recover after sporting events.
and
2) soy protein supports metabolism, does not contain undesirable fats, supports immune function, and contains antioxidants (flavonoids). Therefore soy protein is good for athletes who want to build lean body mass.

One of the pictured products contains 100 percent whey protein, the second 100 percent soy protein, and the third a 50/50 mixture. 明治 ザバス

http://www.meiji.co.jp/sports/savas/index.php

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