McDonalds in Japan have been trying to get more weekday breakfast customers lately.
Awhile back, they offered free menu items, such as an Egg McMuffin or hash browns, to customers who come in for breakfast on a Monday.
This month, McDonalds Japan is having a very unusual campaign to try to boost Monday breakfast sales.
If you come in for breakfast on Monday, 2013 April 8, you will be given a free pack of chewing gum.
If you come in for breakfast on Monday, 2013 April 15, you will be given a free bottle of shampoo.
If you come in for breakfast on Monday, 2013 April 22, you will be given a free pack of skin cream.
And if you come in for breakfast on Monday, 2013 April 29, you will be given a free can of Sprite soft-drink.
Last Friday, McDonald’s in Japan began a campaign for the hot weather of summer.
From now until Thursday, 2011 August 18, all 炭酸ドリンク (carbonated soft drinks) will only cost ¥100 (about US$1.24) for any size (small, medium or large).
So, if you’re in Japan and you like Coca-Cola, Coca-Cola Zero, Canada Dry, Fanta Grape Soda, or 「Qoo すっきり白ブドウ｣ (“Qoo White Grape Soda” with 20% juice) you can buy any of them at McDonalds for “one coin”.
Personally, I like the ¥120 (about US$1.49) free refill hot coffee at McDonald’s Japan. Actually though, I get the coffee even cheaper! I often pick up some McDonald’s discount coffee tickets for only ¥50 at one of the many “discount ticket shops” in Japan.
Coca-Cola Japan is offering a couple new drinks now.
One is 「ファンタ もぉ～もぉ～ ホワイト」 (“Fanta Moo Moo White“)…which is a white soft-drink “with calcium”.
It went on sale all over Japan beginning yesterday.
The other new drink that Coca-Cola Japan is selling now is a ginger tea for women called 「ラブボディ」 (“Love Body“).
Also, Starbucks Coffee, Japan has recently begun their annual spring time “Sakura” campaign.
I wrote about it last year…(click here to read that post).
During Starbucks Japan‘s “Sakura” campaign, they sell pink “Sakura coffee”, pink “Sakura desserts” and pink coffee mugs with Sakura flower designs.
They also have gift cards with the Sakura design.
As I’ve mentioned on my blog before, I don’t have much of a sweet tooth….so none of these drinks appeal me (I like beer!).
How about you? Would you try these?
In America and China many 「トヨタ」 (Toyota) cars are being recalled because there’s a possibility that an ill-fitting floor mat can cause the accelerator pedal to stick which could cause an accident.
And now 「ホンダ」 (Honda) cars overseas are being recalled too.
I heard that Toyota and Honda dealers in those countries are losing a lot of potential business because the public has become hesitant to trust the safety of those cars now.
「トヨタ」 (Toyota)
「ホンダ」 (Honda)
This issue isn’t an issue at all in Japan.
Most Japanese feel that the cars being recalled overseas are different because they were made in America or China.
Japanese cars in Japan are made here…and anything “Made in Japan” is seen as superior in quality and safety.
So, Toyota and Honda dealers here in Japan aren’t feeling the affects of the recall overseas at all.
In fact, Toyota is the best-selling car in Japan…and has been for many years.
Has your image of Japanese cars changed because of this recall?
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On a totally unrelated subject…
I found out that Gene Simmons (of the rock band KISS) did a TV commercial in America for the Dr. Pepper soft drink.
His son is also in the commercial.
As I don’t live in America, I don’t normally watch America TV…but thanks to the internet in general, and YouTube specifically, I was able to see it.
It’s here:
Do you live in America? Have you seen this commercial on TV before?
In Japan, KISS has done a few TV commercials too.
I wrote a post about them last year. Click here to see that post.
I wrote a post before about Coca-Cola and Pepsi in Japan offering unusual flavors such as “Green Tea Coke”, “Cucumber Pepsi”, and “Shiso Pepsi”.
(Click here to read that post).
Pepsi Japan will be offering their latest flavor starting on Tuesday, 20 October (2009)….「ペプシあずき」 (“Pepsi Azuki“).
Pepsi Japan's ad for "Pepsi Azuki". On sale (in Japan) starting 20 October (2009) for a limited time.
The ad says 「和風コーラ・新登場」 (“Japanese style cola. A new appearance.”).
「小豆」 (Azuki) is a popular red bean in Japan that is often eaten in a sweetened paste form.
It’s quite good. But, though I like Shiso, I didn’t think much of Shiso Pepsi…so I have my doubts about “Pepsi Azuki“.
Coca-Cola ® (“Coke“) and Pepsi-Cola ® (“Pepsi“) in Japan often sell flavors of their colas that are unique to Japan.
Maybe they offer unique cola flavors in your country, too. (Please tell me about them in the comments section.)
For example, stores in Japan have sold: “Coca-Cola Zero“, “Cherry Coke“, “Pepsi Blue Hawaii“, “Pepsi NEX“, “Pepsi Red“, “Pepsi White“…and “Pepsi Ice Cucumber“!
"Pepsi Ice Cucumber"
Well, on Monday (2009 June 8), Coca-Cola Japan will begin selling their newest flavor in Japan:
“Green Tea flavor Coca-Cola Plus“. The bottle says that it contains 「カテキン」 (“Catechins”…which are a compound of tea that is good for people’s health).
Green Tea Coke
To compete with this, later this month on ６月２３日（火） (Tuesday, June 23) Pepsi Japan will be selling:
「ペプシしそ」 (“Pepsi Shiso“).
"Pepsi Shiso (Japanese refreshing flavor) goes on sale all over Japan on Tuesday, 2009 June 23."
「シソ」 (Shiso) is a Japanese herb. I eat Shiso in many foods…but I never imagined a Shiso-flavored cola!
シソ (Shiso)...the Japanese herb.
Pepsi Shiso
I don’t drink cola very often…occasionally I’ll be in the mood to drink a cola—and then I normally buy a normal Coke ®. I did buy the Green Tea Coke just to try it…I wasn’t impressed—it just tasted like Diet Coke (which I dislike).
I’ll probably try the Pepsi Shiso too…just for the novelty value.
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