No. 8156 April 26
Suntory Plants Meet HACCP Food Safety Standards

On April 23, it was announced that Suntory's Hakushu plant in Yamanashi prefecture, which produces MINAMI ALPS NO TENNENSUUI mineral water, as well as Suntory Foods' plant in southwest Tokyo, producer of such soft drinks as BOSS coffee and NACCHAN, had received certification for meeting Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point (HACCP) food safety standards. This follows acquisition by Pepsi-Cola Japan, a Suntory group plant, in October 2001. Compliance with HACCP standards will be the driving force to further upgrading Suntory product quality.

No. 8158 April 25
Whisky Barrels From 1924 to be on Public Display at Yamazaki Distillery

From April 27, Suntory will put in total of four Japan's open to the public the oldest whisky barrels, in Japan which have been distilled and barreled in 1924, at Yamazaki distillery in Osaka prefecture. The history of whisky making in Japan started in 1923, together with groundbreaking of Yamazaki distillery. The barrels on display after a long period of sleep will tell us all about its history. Commemorating this special occasion, a lecture on "PURE MALT WHISKY YAMAZAKI" will be given by the manager on May 25, followed by a classic concert to be held inside the distill room.

No. 8157 April 25
BEEFEATER International Cocktail Competition Seeks Applications for Japan Tournament

Suntory and Suntory Allied Ltd. are inviting professional bartenders to enter the 2002 BEEFEATER International Cocktail Competition, where 10 selected contestants will take part in the final round of the Japan Tournament on July 25. The winner will be invited to the world contest this coming October. Applicants may enter either the "short" or "long" cocktail category, and are required to demonstrate free-style skills at the final contest. Pictures of contestants' original cocktails using BEEFEATER gin should be sent to the admissions office with detailed descriptions by June 7.

No. 8155 April 23
Family Festival held at Kyoto Beer Plant

On April 29, Suntory's beer plant in Kyoto will hold its 33rd annual family festival, an event that offers local residents a chance to taste fresh-made beer, as well as learn about the plant's eco-project, which received ISO 14001 certification last summer. Guests are invited to join in the voluntary can recycling program, receiving a free soft drink can in exchange for 10 empty cans.

No. 8154 April 23
MAGNUM DRY Kicks off Promotional Campaign for FC Tokyo

From July 16, Suntory will begin marketing MAGNUM DRY light malt beer in promotional packs that feature FC Tokyo, a J-League soccer team. Sold in Tokyo and the surrounding vicinity, the 870-yen six-pack of 350ml cans will highlight pictures of the football team. The company will also be giving away custom-made FC Tokyo T-shirts to 2,000 lucky purchasers who select packs with the winning mark on the flip side. The campaign is being conducted July 16 to August 31.

No. 8153 April 23
BE-COOL Makes Summer Debut

From May 14, Suntory will begin marketing BE-COOL a new low-alcohol (4%) summer drink. Available in LEMON GINGER and APPLE LIME flavors, the gin-based product targets young male consumers in their 20s, a market segment that has seen sales double in the past four years. A 350ml can will retail for 160 yen.

No. 8151 April 16
Three Single Malt Whiskies Go on Sale

On May 7, Suntory will begin marketing three new single malt whiskies: BOWMORE CLARET (750ml/12,000 yen), BOWMORE VOYAGE (700ml/12,000 yen) and AUCHENTOSHAN THREE WOOD (700ml/7,000 yen). The launch of these products reflects the popularity of single malt whiskies, which has experienced triple sales growth in the past 10 years. Suntory expects to expand its market share in an otherwise stagnant liquor market.

No. 8149 April 9
Specially Designed Liquor Bottles Commemorate Suntory Ladies Open Golf Tournament

On May 14, Suntory will begin limited sales of X.O DELUXE brandy and ROYAL 12 whisky in originally designed bottles to commemorate the Suntory Ladies Open Golf Tournament being held June 12-6 in Kobe, Hyogo Prefecture. Featuring the phrase, "We Love Kobe," a 500ml brandy container in the shape of a female golfer will retail for 9,500 yen, while a 100ml golf ball-shaped bottle of ROYAL 12 will sell for 1,400 yen.

No. 8148 April 9
Award-Winning Tominooka Red Wine Introduced

On April 23, Suntory will begin marketing TOMI 1997, a new red wine from its Tominooka winery in Yamanashi Prefecture. Produced from one of the best grape harvests in recent times, TOMI 1997 was awarded a gold medal at the "2000 Challenge International du Vin" contest held in France. A 720ml bottle will retail for 10,000 yen. Concurrently, MIHARASHI DAI 1998 Cabernet Sauvignon red wine and TSUTAISHIZAKAEN 1999 Chardonnay white wine will also be introduced. A 720ml bottle of each will sell for 5,000 yen.

No. 8147 April 9
TROPICAL "MANGO MARGARITA" Cocktail Debuts

On April 23, Suntory will begin marketing TROPICAL "MANGO MARGARITA" in an attractively designed 600ml bottle that will retail for 880 yen. The recent popularity of fruit-based cocktails, particularly among female consumers, is reflected in this mild yet tasty product, which can be enjoyed on the rocks, with soda, or frozen.

No. 8146 April 9
OOLONG TEA Marks Anniversary with Promotional Campaign

Suntory will launch a giveaway campaign on April 15 to promote its OOLONG TEA, marking the 21st anniversary of the beverage's market debut. To commemorate this milestone, the product will also feature re-designed packaging and a new advertising tagline to further enhance brand image.

As part of the promotional campaign, Suntory will giveaway exclusive panda-shaped Sony "AIBO" robots, affectionately named "Long Long," to 1,001 lucky winners. Application can be made by mail or via an online form which can be obtained at the campaign site: http://www.long2.com. Deadline for application is June 15.

No. 8145 April 9
MALT'S Beer Takes on New Look

Suntory MALT'S beer will feature re-designed packaging to take advantage of the peak summer sales season. Between late April through July, 500ml and 350ml cans will boast a frothy thirst-quenching beer image, as well as a seasonal logo.

No. 8144 April 9
New Flavors Added to LIPTON Tea Line

On May 14, Suntory will begin marketing LIPTON LIMONE, a tea that uses Italian lemon, and LIPTON COOL PECHE, which incorporates fresh yellow peach. The lemon tea will retail in 1.3l and 500ml plastic bottles for 320 yen and 140 yen, respectively, as well as in 340g and 250g cans priced at 115 yen The peach tea will be available in 500ml plastic bottles for 140 yen. Launched in 2001 in collaboration with NIPPON LEVER, the LIPTON tea series has been gaining a steady market share, which is expected to be further enhanced with the new product introduction.

No. 8141 April 4
Suntory Offers Liquor Workshops for Cocktail Lovers

Suntory invites all cocktail lovers to participate in its liquor tasting workshops to be held in Tokyo and Osaka April 19-May 31. The sessions offer guests a basic knowledge of liquor and cocktail making, followed by tastings of over 10 liquor varieties. Taking advantage of the growing popularity of cocktails, Suntory plans to hold as many as 200 liquor workshops this year.

No. 8140 April 2
TONG-TSU-FA Chinese Liquor Available in Larger Bottles

On May 14, Suntory will begin marketing TONG-TSU-FA, a Chinese liquor available in AN-MEI-CHU apricot and RI-GUI-CHU chestnut flavors, in 1.8L plastic bottles that will retail for 2,033 yen. Since the launch of these items on March 5, sales of the TONG-TSU-FA liquor series have soared to over 6,000 cases, supported not only by restaurants and bars, but also individuals. Consumer demand for product availability in larger bottles is expected to further increase Suntory's market share.