Asahi Soft Drinks
Encyclopedia
is a soft drink
company founded in 1982 and headquartered in the Azuma-bashi district of Sumida
, Tokyo
, Japan
. It is a subsidiary of Asahi Breweries
. The company sponsors the Asahi Soft Drinks Challengers, an American football
team in the X-League
, as well as a futsal
team.
Bireley's began being sold in cans in March 1959. In March 1972, Mitsuya Vending Corporation was established, and Asahi Bakushu entered the beverage vending machine
business. Mitsuya Coffee, sold in cans, was introduced in October 1981. Mitsuya Foods Corporation was established in March 1982, and the Mitsuya Vending Corporation was merged into this new company. This is considered the beginning of Asahi Soft Drinks. The canned Mitsuya Coffee product name was changed to "NOVA" in September 1986, and footballer Diego Maradona
began doing commercials for the coffee.
Mitsuya Foods officially changed its corporate name to "Asahi Beer Soft Drinks" in April 1987, and in November 1988, Asahi Beer Soft Drinks Manufacturing was established. The following two years, two manufacturing plants were opened: one in Kashiwa
, Chiba Prefecture
in January 1989, and one in Akashi
, Hyōgo Prefecture
in January 1990. In February 1990, the canned coffee brand "NOVA" was changed to "J.O.", and Hank Aaron began doing commercials. In September that same year, Asahi Beer Soft Drinks consolidated its western Japan, Tōkai
, and Kyūshū
subsidiaries into one company called Asahi Beer Soft Drinks.
In January 1991, Asahi Beer Soft Drinks took over the drinking water
business from the parent company. The company began sales of its blended tea
Asahi Jūrokucha, a blend of 16 different tea
s, in March 1993. The Hokuriku
manufacturing plant was opened in March 1994. Three subsidiaries (Asahi Beer Soft Drinks, Asahi Beer Soft Drinks Manufacturing, and Hokuriku Asahi Beer Soft Drinks Manufacturing) merged in July 1996 to form Asahi Soft Drinks in order better focus development, manufacturing and marketing efforts.
J.O. Coffee was changed to Wonda Coffee in September 1997, and Tiger Woods
began appearing in commercials using the tag line, "Wonderful Wonda." Asahi Soft Drinks was listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange
in August 1999. Asahi Umacha began sales on 2001-03-12 with a commercial by Studio Ghibli
, the anime
studio responsible for Princess Mononoke
. The Mount Fuji
manufacturing plant opened in April 2001.
Tokoro George began doing commercials in October 2002 for Wonda Morning Shot, which was previously named Asahi Sen'yō (lit. Asahi Private). Shot & Shot, a low sugar variety of Wonda, was introduced in January 2005, and a caffeine
-free variety of Asahi Jūrokucha was introduced in February. Commercials for Asahi Jūrokucha featured the child actor
s Ei Morisako and Kakeru Totani, and veteran actor, comedian
and singer Ichirō Zaitsu, as well as music by Agnes Chan
. A new commercial for Wonda Morning Shot featuring Yukie Nakama
and a new commercial for Wonda Shot & Shot featuring Yūsuke Santamaria
were both released in September 2005.
Takarazuka Revue
actress Yuki Amami
appeared in a February 2006 commercial for Asahi Jūrokucha. In April, the unsweetened black canned coffee Wonda 100-nen Black was introduced. In September, Daizō Harada starred as Neptune
in a commercial for Wonda Shot & Shot 69, and in November, Gyugyutto Shimikomu Collagen
Water was debuted.
Also in 2006, Asahi Soft Drinks published results of a study on naturally occurring vanadium
in drinking water and its effect on mice with diabetes. The study was done in conjunction with Asahi Breweries, Nihon Pharmaceutical University
, and Tokyo Medical University
, and found that it prevented weight gain and allowed the mice to use glucose more effectively. In 2007, Asahi Soft Drinks transferred most of its vending machine operations to its sister company LB, also owned by Asahi Breweries.
Asahi Soft Drinks produces a large number of drinks, including the following:
Soft drink
A soft drink is a non-alcoholic beverage that typically contains water , a sweetener, and a flavoring agent...
company founded in 1982 and headquartered in the Azuma-bashi district of Sumida
Sumida, Tokyo
is one of the 23 special wards of Tokyo, Japan. It calls itself Sumida City in English.As of 2008, the ward has an estimated population of 240,296 and a density of 17,480 persons per km²...
, Tokyo
Tokyo
, ; officially , is one of the 47 prefectures of Japan. Tokyo is the capital of Japan, the center of the Greater Tokyo Area, and the largest metropolitan area of Japan. It is the seat of the Japanese government and the Imperial Palace, and the home of the Japanese Imperial Family...
, Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
. It is a subsidiary of Asahi Breweries
Asahi Breweries
Asahi Breweries, Ltd. is a leading brewery and soft drink company based in Tokyo, Japan. The company has a 40% share of the Japanese beer market....
. The company sponsors the Asahi Soft Drinks Challengers, an American football
American football
American football is a sport played between two teams of eleven with the objective of scoring points by advancing the ball into the opposing team's end zone. Known in the United States simply as football, it may also be referred to informally as gridiron football. The ball can be advanced by...
team in the X-League
X-League
The X-League is a professional American football league in Japan. It was founded in 1971 as the Japan American Football League. It changed its name to the X-league in 1997. There are four divisions between which there is promotion and relegation. Teams in the four-tier league are split into...
, as well as a futsal
Futsal
Futsal is a variant of association football that is played on a smaller pitch and mainly played indoors. Its name is a portmanteau of the Portuguese futebol de salão and the Spanish fútbol de salón , which can be translated as "hall football" or "indoor football"...
team.
History
In 1884, (later called "Mitsuya Cider") began being sold. After becoming an Imperially licensed beverage company in 1909, Mitsuya Shanpen Cider began being sold. Asahi Bakushu (now Asahi Beer) acquired the rights to manufacture and distribute Bireley's Orange and Wilkinson Tansan in November 1951, after which it began selling them. By April 1953, Mitsuya Cider was manufactured using only sugar for sweetener.Bireley's began being sold in cans in March 1959. In March 1972, Mitsuya Vending Corporation was established, and Asahi Bakushu entered the beverage vending machine
Vending machine
A vending machine is a machine which dispenses items such as snacks, beverages, alcohol, cigarettes, lottery tickets, consumer products and even gold and gems to customers automatically, after the customer inserts currency or credit into the machine....
business. Mitsuya Coffee, sold in cans, was introduced in October 1981. Mitsuya Foods Corporation was established in March 1982, and the Mitsuya Vending Corporation was merged into this new company. This is considered the beginning of Asahi Soft Drinks. The canned Mitsuya Coffee product name was changed to "NOVA" in September 1986, and footballer Diego Maradona
Diego Maradona
Diego Armando Maradona is a retired Argentine football player and widely regarded as one of the greatest football players of all time. Over the course of his professional club career Maradona played for Argentinos Juniors, Boca Juniors, Barcelona, Napoli, Sevilla and Newell's Old Boys, setting...
began doing commercials for the coffee.
Mitsuya Foods officially changed its corporate name to "Asahi Beer Soft Drinks" in April 1987, and in November 1988, Asahi Beer Soft Drinks Manufacturing was established. The following two years, two manufacturing plants were opened: one in Kashiwa
Kashiwa, Chiba
is a city located in northern Chiba Prefecture, Japan. As of February 2011, the city had an estimated population of 404,820 and a population density of 3520 persons per km²...
, Chiba Prefecture
Chiba Prefecture
is a prefecture of Japan located in the Kantō region and the Greater Tokyo Area. Its capital is Chiba City.- History :Chiba Prefecture was established on June 15, 1873 with the merger of Kisarazu Prefecture and Inba Prefecture...
in January 1989, and one in Akashi
Akashi, Hyogo
is a city located in southern Hyōgo Prefecture, Japan, on the Seto Inland Sea west of Kobe.As of April 1, 2011, the city has an estimated population of 290,776, with 117,392 households, and a population density of 5,907.68 persons per km²...
, Hyōgo Prefecture
Hyogo Prefecture
is a prefecture of Japan located in the Kansai region on Honshū island. The capital is Kobe.The prefecture's name was previously alternately spelled as Hiogo.- History :...
in January 1990. In February 1990, the canned coffee brand "NOVA" was changed to "J.O.", and Hank Aaron began doing commercials. In September that same year, Asahi Beer Soft Drinks consolidated its western Japan, Tōkai
Tokai region
The is a sub-region of the Chūbu region in Japan that runs along the Pacific Ocean. The name means "East sea" and comes from the Tōkaidō, one of the Edo Five Routes...
, and Kyūshū
Kyushu
is the third largest island of Japan and most southwesterly of its four main islands. Its alternate ancient names include , , and . The historical regional name is referred to Kyushu and its surrounding islands....
subsidiaries into one company called Asahi Beer Soft Drinks.
In January 1991, Asahi Beer Soft Drinks took over the drinking water
Drinking water
Drinking water or potable water is water pure enough to be consumed or used with low risk of immediate or long term harm. In most developed countries, the water supplied to households, commerce and industry is all of drinking water standard, even though only a very small proportion is actually...
business from the parent company. The company began sales of its blended tea
Tea blending and additives
Tea blending describes the process of blending different teas together to produce a final product. This occurs chiefly with black tea that is blended to make most tea bags but can also occur with such teas as Pu-erh, where leaves are blended from different regions before being compressed. The aim...
Asahi Jūrokucha, a blend of 16 different tea
Tea
Tea is an aromatic beverage prepared by adding cured leaves of the Camellia sinensis plant to hot water. The term also refers to the plant itself. After water, tea is the most widely consumed beverage in the world...
s, in March 1993. The Hokuriku
Hokuriku region
The is located in the northwestern part of Honshū, the main island of Japan. It lies along the Sea of Japan within the Chūbu region. It is almost equivalent to Koshi Province and Hokurikudō area in pre-modern Japan....
manufacturing plant was opened in March 1994. Three subsidiaries (Asahi Beer Soft Drinks, Asahi Beer Soft Drinks Manufacturing, and Hokuriku Asahi Beer Soft Drinks Manufacturing) merged in July 1996 to form Asahi Soft Drinks in order better focus development, manufacturing and marketing efforts.
J.O. Coffee was changed to Wonda Coffee in September 1997, and Tiger Woods
Tiger Woods
Eldrick Tont "Tiger" Woods is an American professional golfer whose achievements to date rank him among the most successful golfers of all time. Formerly the World No...
began appearing in commercials using the tag line, "Wonderful Wonda." Asahi Soft Drinks was listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange
Tokyo Stock Exchange
The , called or TSE for short, is located in Tokyo, Japan and is the third largest stock exchange in the world by aggregate market capitalization of its listed companies...
in August 1999. Asahi Umacha began sales on 2001-03-12 with a commercial by Studio Ghibli
Studio Ghibli
is a Japanese animation and film studio founded in June 1985. The company's logo features the character Totoro from Hayao Miyazaki's film My Neighbor Totoro...
, the anime
Anime
is the Japanese abbreviated pronunciation of "animation". The definition sometimes changes depending on the context. In English-speaking countries, the term most commonly refers to Japanese animated cartoons....
studio responsible for Princess Mononoke
Princess Mononoke
is a 1997 epic Japanese animated historical fantasy feature film written and directed by Hayao Miyazaki of Studio Ghibli. is not a name, but a general term in the Japanese language for a spirit or monster...
. The Mount Fuji
Mount Fuji
is the highest mountain in Japan at . An active stratovolcano that last erupted in 1707–08, Mount Fuji lies about south-west of Tokyo, and can be seen from there on a clear day. Mount Fuji's exceptionally symmetrical cone is a well-known symbol of Japan and it is frequently depicted in art and...
manufacturing plant opened in April 2001.
Tokoro George began doing commercials in October 2002 for Wonda Morning Shot, which was previously named Asahi Sen'yō (lit. Asahi Private). Shot & Shot, a low sugar variety of Wonda, was introduced in January 2005, and a caffeine
Caffeine
Caffeine is a bitter, white crystalline xanthine alkaloid that acts as a stimulant drug. Caffeine is found in varying quantities in the seeds, leaves, and fruit of some plants, where it acts as a natural pesticide that paralyzes and kills certain insects feeding on the plants...
-free variety of Asahi Jūrokucha was introduced in February. Commercials for Asahi Jūrokucha featured the child actor
Actor
An actor is a person who acts in a dramatic production and who works in film, television, theatre, or radio in that capacity...
s Ei Morisako and Kakeru Totani, and veteran actor, comedian
Comedian
A comedian or comic is a person who seeks to entertain an audience, primarily by making them laugh. This might be through jokes or amusing situations, or acting a fool, as in slapstick, or employing prop comedy...
and singer Ichirō Zaitsu, as well as music by Agnes Chan
Agnes Chan
Agnes Chan or Agnes Miling Kaneko Chan is a pop singer, a television personality , a Doctor of Education, a professor at Japanese universities, an essayist, a novelist...
. A new commercial for Wonda Morning Shot featuring Yukie Nakama
Yukie Nakama
is a Japanese actress, singer and former idol. She was born in Okinawa, Japan, in a fisherman's family, the youngest of five siblings.At the start of her career she was a gravure idol and singer , and appeared in bit roles until her career breakthrough playing Sadako in "Ring 0: Birthday ."In 2000,...
and a new commercial for Wonda Shot & Shot featuring Yūsuke Santamaria
Yusuke Santamaria
, born , is an actor and singer born March 12, 1971 in Ōita Ōita Prefecture, Japan who premiered primarily on Japanese networks such as JDTV and JHJ. He was best known for his work on many popular game shows, television programs, and shorts. He is also known simply as "Yūsuke"...
were both released in September 2005.
Takarazuka Revue
Takarazuka Revue
The Takarazuka Revue is a Japanese all-female musical theater troupe based in Takarazuka, Hyōgo Prefecture, Japan. Women play all roles in lavish, Broadway-style productions of Western-style musicals, and sometimes stories adapted from shōjo manga and Japanese folktales. The troupe takes its name...
actress Yuki Amami
Yuki Amami
is a Japanese actress.-Career:Amami joined the Takarazuka Revue in 1987 and retired in 1995. Amami was the youngest actress in the company's history to be cast in a top male role...
appeared in a February 2006 commercial for Asahi Jūrokucha. In April, the unsweetened black canned coffee Wonda 100-nen Black was introduced. In September, Daizō Harada starred as Neptune
Neptune (mythology)
Neptune was the god of water and the sea in Roman mythology and religion. He is analogous with, but not identical to, the Greek god Poseidon. In the Greek-influenced tradition, Neptune was the brother of Jupiter and Pluto, each of them presiding over one of the three realms of the universe,...
in a commercial for Wonda Shot & Shot 69, and in November, Gyugyutto Shimikomu Collagen
Collagen
Collagen is a group of naturally occurring proteins found in animals, especially in the flesh and connective tissues of mammals. It is the main component of connective tissue, and is the most abundant protein in mammals, making up about 25% to 35% of the whole-body protein content...
Water was debuted.
Also in 2006, Asahi Soft Drinks published results of a study on naturally occurring vanadium
Vanadium
Vanadium is a chemical element with the symbol V and atomic number 23. It is a hard, silvery gray, ductile and malleable transition metal. The formation of an oxide layer stabilizes the metal against oxidation. The element is found only in chemically combined form in nature...
in drinking water and its effect on mice with diabetes. The study was done in conjunction with Asahi Breweries, Nihon Pharmaceutical University
Nihon Pharmaceutical University
is a private university in Ina, Saitama, Japan, established in 2004.-External links:*...
, and Tokyo Medical University
Tokyo Medical University
thumb|180px|right|Tokyo Medical University is one of the established medical schools in Japan before the war. In accordance with the nation’s policy for medical education, this private university has a 6-year medical school curriculum that offers preclinical and clinical studies to confer with a...
, and found that it prevented weight gain and allowed the mice to use glucose more effectively. In 2007, Asahi Soft Drinks transferred most of its vending machine operations to its sister company LB, also owned by Asahi Breweries.
Products
- Benifūki Ryokucha (green teaGreen teaGreen tea is made solely from the leaves of Camellia sinensis that have undergone minimal oxidation during processing. Green tea originates from China and has become associated with many cultures throughout Asia. It has recently become more widespread in the West, where black tea is traditionally...
, limited release) - Bireley's (バヤリース)
- Bireley's Orange
- Bireley's Apple
- Bireley's Sarasara Tomato
- Bireley's Bottle Breakfast series
- Cafeo (a café au laitCafé au laitCafé au lait is a French coffee drink. The meaning of the term differs between Europe and the United States; in both cases it means some kind of coffee with hot milk added, in contrast to white coffee, which is coffee with room temperature milk or other whitener added.- Europe :In Europe, "café au...
) - Dodekamin (vitaminVitaminA vitamin is an organic compound required as a nutrient in tiny amounts by an organism. In other words, an organic chemical compound is called a vitamin when it cannot be synthesized in sufficient quantities by an organism, and must be obtained from the diet. Thus, the term is conditional both on...
drink) - Fauchon (a black teaBlack teaBlack tea is a variety of tea that is more oxidized than the oolong, green, and white varieties.All four varieties are made from leaves of the shrub Camellia sinensis. Black tea is generally stronger in flavor and contains more caffeine than the less oxidized teas. Two principal varieties of the...
) - Fiber 7500
- Fine Straight Tea
- Gyugyutto Shimikomu Collagen Water (a "dietDietingDieting is the practice of eating food in a regulated fashion to achieve or maintain a controlled weight. In most cases dieting is used in combination with physical exercise to lose weight in those who are overweight or obese. Some athletes, however, follow a diet to gain weight...
" water containing collagenCollagenCollagen is a group of naturally occurring proteins found in animals, especially in the flesh and connective tissues of mammals. It is the main component of connective tissue, and is the most abundant protein in mammals, making up about 25% to 35% of the whole-body protein content...
) - Ichigeki (sports drink)
- Ikkyūchappa Ūroncha (OolongOolongOolong is a traditional Chinese tea produced through a unique process including withering under the strong sun and oxidation before curling and twisting. Most oolong teas, especially those of fine quality, involve unique tea plant cultivars that are exclusively used for particular varieties...
tea made from top grade leaves) - JūrokuchaJurokuchais a blended tea drink produced and distributed by Asahi Soft Drinks in Japan. The drink was originally created and sold by Chanson Cosmetics as a dry blended green tea. Beginning in March 1993, Chanson and Asahi Soft Drinks released Jūrokucha as a joint venture premade beverage...
(十六茶, a blend of 16 teas) - Kōcha Pūarucha (a pu-erh teaPu-erh teaPu'er, Pu-erh, Puer, also Po Lei or Bolay is a variety of post-fermented tea produced in Yunnan province, China. Post-fermentation is a tea production style in which the tea leaves undergo a microbial fermentation process after they are dried and rolled. This is a Chinese specialty and is sometimes...
) - Kuchidoke Cocoa ("kuchidoke" means "melts in your mouth", only sold during winter)
- Kuromugicha (a ryeRyeRye is a grass grown extensively as a grain and as a forage crop. It is a member of the wheat tribe and is closely related to barley and wheat. Rye grain is used for flour, rye bread, rye beer, some whiskeys, some vodkas, and animal fodder...
tea) - Mitsuya CiderMitsuya Cideris a Japanese carbonated soft drink, created in 1884 and now produced by Asahi Soft Drinks. While branded as a "cider", the East Asian use of "cider" refers to a very different drink – the basic flavor can be described as a cross between Sprite and Ginger Ale, though Asahi has come out with...
- Sansōsui (oxygenOxygenOxygen is the element with atomic number 8 and represented by the symbol O. Its name derives from the Greek roots ὀξύς and -γενής , because at the time of naming, it was mistakenly thought that all acids required oxygen in their composition...
water) - Super H²O (sports drinkSports drinkA sports drink beverage is designed to help athletes rehydrate when fluids are depleted after training or competition. Electrolyte replacement promotes proper rehydration, which is important in delaying the onset of fatigue during exercise...
) - Tōchō Ūroncha (Oolong tea sold at 7-Eleven7-Eleven7-Eleven is part of an international chain of convenience stores, operating under Seven-Eleven Japan Co. Ltd, which in turn is owned by Seven & I Holdings Co...
stores) - Vanadium Tennen Mizu (natural mineral waterMineral waterMineral water is water containing minerals or other dissolved substances that alter its taste or give it therapeutic value, generally obtained from a naturally occurring mineral spring or source. Dissolved substances in the water may include various salts and sulfur compounds...
containing vanadiumVanadiumVanadium is a chemical element with the symbol V and atomic number 23. It is a hard, silvery gray, ductile and malleable transition metal. The formation of an oxide layer stabilizes the metal against oxidation. The element is found only in chemically combined form in nature...
) - Wakamusha (若武者, meaning "young samuraiSamuraiis the term for the military nobility of pre-industrial Japan. According to translator William Scott Wilson: "In Chinese, the character 侍 was originally a verb meaning to wait upon or accompany a person in the upper ranks of society, and this is also true of the original term in Japanese, saburau...
," a green tea) - White Milk Tea
- Wilkinson
- Ginger aleGinger aleGinger ale is a carbonated soft drink flavored with ginger. Dr. Thomas Cantrell, an American apothecary and surgeon, claimed to have invented ginger ale and marketed it with beverage manufacturer Grattan and Company. Grattan embossed the slogan "The Original Makers of Ginger Ale" on its bottles...
(dry and golden) - Tonic waterTonic waterTonic water is a carbonated soft drink in which quinine is dissolved. Originally used as a prophylactic against malaria, tonic water usually now has a significantly lower quinine content and is consumed for its distinctively bitter taste...
- Ginger ale
- Wonda (canned coffeeCoffeeCoffee is a brewed beverage with a dark,init brooo acidic flavor prepared from the roasted seeds of the coffee plant, colloquially called coffee beans. The beans are found in coffee cherries, which grow on trees cultivated in over 70 countries, primarily in equatorial Latin America, Southeast Asia,...
)- Wonda Morning Shot
- Wonda Shot & Shot 69
- Wonda 100-nen Black
Discontinued products
- Cha-Tea (a black tea)
- J.O. (coffee, became Wonda)
- Mitsuya Coffee (became Wonda)
- Nova (coffee, became Wonda)
- Ocha Dōzo (a green tea introduced at the same time as Jūrokucha)
- Tea Quality (a black tea)
- TeaO (a black tea)
- Umacha (a green tea, replaced by Wakamusha)
- Nigorase Umacha