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Find the latest insights, innovations, and trends. From various news sources, we pick and summarize the most important insights, innovations, trends, and news from hundreds of reports each week in Japan.
Ajinomoto Frozen Foods Launches New “Obento PON™” Series for Effortless Bento Preparation.
Ajinomoto Frozen Foods Co., Ltd. is set to launch its innovative "Obento PON™" series on August 11, 2024. This new line of products is designed to fit easily into freezer spaces, be conveniently placed directly into bento boxes, and be disposed of with minimal hassle. Rising Demand...
The Ready-to-Eat Bread Market Booms in Japan: Meeting Diverse Budget Needs.
The ready-to-eat (RTE) bread market in Japan is experiencing significant growth, driven by the ability to cater to diverse budget needs. According to in-store sales data (KSP-POS), the market's sales value from January to December 2023 increased by 4.3% year-on-year, with sales volume rising by...
Calbee Unveils New “Ultra Thin Potato Chips,” Available from July 1.
On June 28, Calbee held a sensory strategy briefing in Tokyo where they announced their new product, "Ultra Thin Potato Chips." This new item will be available nationwide at convenience stores from July 1. Evolution of Calbee Potato Chips Since the launch of "Calbee Potato Chips" in 1975, Calbee...
California walnuts are the first to receive a functional food labeling: one handful (28g) of walnuts lowers LDL cholesterol and blood pressure in people with high blood pressure.
The California Walnut Commission (Folsom, California , and Delta International Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo, President and CEO: Takashi Toriumi, hereinafter referred to as Delta International) are pleased to announce that the functional food claim application for " California was...
AEON to Introduce Digital Receipt Service Across All Group Stores.
AEON announced that from Friday, June 21, 2024, it will gradually introduce "digital receipts" (receipt-less function) at approximately 4,000 stores operated by 19 AEON Group companies. This service digitizes the usual paper receipts, including purchase dates, store names, and product details,...
Belc Supermarket Starts Operation of “Armo” Store Robots.
Belc has taken a significant step towards innovation in the retail industry by introducing the store robot "Armo," developed by MUSE. The deployment began in June 2024 at Belc's Wako Nishiyamato and Kita-Sakado stores in Saitama Prefecture. Key Developments:1. Pilot Testing and Verification: The...
Major convenience store chain FamilyMart will resume sales of straw-type cookies called “Corone Cookies” from June 18.
FamilyMart Co., Ltd. will start selling "Corone Cookies," straw-type cookies developed by Bourbon Corporation, from Tuesday, June 18, in approximately 2,200 FamilyMart stores in Hokkaido, Tohoku, Northern Kanto, and Niigata Prefecture. The price is 71 yen per cookie. These cookies were designed by...
Beet flavor is also expanding in Japan; Beetroot & Almond, a smoothie powder from ZENB company.
ZENB JAPAN has launched a new smoothie powder called "ZENB Smoothie Beets & Almond" on June 5th, available on the ZENB website and other platforms. This product features a delightful sweetness and rich flavor, highlighting the deliciousness and nutrition of its ingredients. It mainly uses...
New category of udon donut snacking from Marugame Seimen Company.
Marugame Seimen is one of the largest udon chains in Japan. It will launch a new sweet called "Marugame Udonuts" nationwide on June 25th. The aim is to propose a new way to enjoy traditional udon and create a new category. To commemorate the launch, a pop-up store called "Marugame Udonuts Shop"...
Seven-Eleven launches its own brand “Aquarius” – a functional food.
On the 14th, Seven & i Holdings and Coca-Cola Japan announced that they will be releasing "Seven Premium Aquarius S-Body" as a Seven-Eleven private brand product on the 24th. It will be sold in approximately 22,000 group stores nationwide as a functional food containing rosehip-derived...
Seven & i to release Seven Premium ice cream made with non-standard “Mottainai Bananas.
(Left) "Seven Premium Just Like a Ripe Banana" 148 yen (159.84 yen including tax), (right) "Seven Premium Waffle Cone Banana Shake" 248 yen (267.84 yen including tax) (From a Seven & i Holdings news release) On June 3rd, Seven & i Holdings (Tokyo) began releasing two products from the...
Challenges and solutions in five confectionary categories in Japan by Yamaseiya, the Leading Confectionery Wholesaler.
Yamaseiya, through discussions with confectionery manufacturers, has identified challenges and devised solutions for five key categories: snacks, rice crackers, candies, biscuits, and chocolates. These solutions will be presented to retailers at the "ARISTA FAIR 2024," scheduled for June 19 and...
AEON Private Brand’s new product presentation focuses on allergy-friendly and environmentally friendly products, aligning with the company’s future growth strategy.
Aeon Topvalu, which manages the private brand sector of the Aeon Group, is evolving its private brand in fulfillment of its social responsibilities. President Tsuchiya stated, "Supporting the parenting generation is a social issue. With one in ten children having allergies, we are committed to...
Soy milk butter from Fuji oil company.
Introducing Soy Milk Cream Butter: Fuji Oil's Innovative Plant-Based Delight from GOODNOON Brand. Featuring a deep richness from soybeans combined with an overwhelming melt-in-your-mouth quality and a light aftertaste, this product has received positive feedback in commercial use and is now...
Next to Mochi? Kuzukiri Sweet innovation
The chewy texture of Japanese sweets MOCHI is gaining attention overseas, and the texture of kuzukiri is likely to become a new innovative product in the market. A new sensation in ice cream made with kudzu starch and eaten "semi-thawed" is generating buzz. This evolved traditional Japanese sweet...
Muji Upcycle new snack items
Japanese major retailers are advancing product development using upcycled materials. Although the concept of upcycling has existed for a long time, with the rise in environmental awareness, retailers are actively developing products using discarded materials to appeal to consumers. Muji has been...
Unstoppable growth of 24-hour unmanned frozen confectionary store ‘ 24- Sweets shop’ in Japan.
The growth of "24 Sweets Shop," an unmanned sweets specialty store, is unstoppable. In just a year and a half since its opening, it has expanded to over 90 locations. They have developed a business model that allows for the sale of popular sweets from across Japan on a per-item basis. 24 Sweets...
Muji’ｓ new business “MUJI room essentials”
MUJI, known for its simple and functional design, faces the risk of overlapping with other brands. However, it continues to innovate. In 2020, "MUJI Naoyetsu" opened, aiming to become the center of daily life in the Joetsu region by introducing local attractions and new, useful services. Despite...