Japan earthquake 2026: Food labels relaxed but safety still paramount
The government of Japan has officially granted a labelling reprieve for food products in areas affected by the 2026 Kumamoto Earthquake, but also issued strict warnings against unsafe and malicious practices.
For the time being, foods distributed to the disaster-struck areas will be allowed even if not all of the mandatory labelling information is not present on pack. However, the labelling should still contain sufficient information regarding food safety requirements and must not mislead consumers.
Catch-22: Kirin puts JPY43.8bn price tag on green transition
Kirin estimates carbon pricing could add JPY43.8bn (US$274.24m) to packaging costs by 2050, highlighting the financial trade-offs of the shift to a low-carbon economy.
Kirin faces costs whichever climate pathway the world takes: a faster transition could make carbon-intensive materials and energy more expensive, while a slower one could increase the physical risks of climate change, including damage to agricultural yields.
Brand packaging: Roku Gin’s tale of seasonal fleeting beauty
Suntory’s Roku Gin recently launched its Noryo Tea Edition for summer.
Its packaging tells the story of “shun” – the Japanese philosophy of enjoying ingredients at their seasonal peak, a reminder that every seasonal edition is inspired by the fleeting beauty of a particular time of year.
The six Japanese botanicals illustrated on-pack are associated with different seasons, with Sencha and Gyokuro representing summer in the Noryo Tea Edition.
Carlsberg Malaysia reaffirms premiumisation as key growth lever amid uncertainty
Carlsberg Malaysia will double down on its premiumisation priorities, leveraging premium products and innovation to drive growth despite challenging market conditions.
Premium brands such as Sapporo – has been the firm’s best-performing brand within the premiumisation category. Carlsberg Malaysia has directed investments towards reinforcing Sapporo’s role as a recognised Japanese lager brand associated with brewing excellence, said Carlsberg Malaysia Managing Director Stefano Clini.
‘All about health’: Bebop takes dairy-free ice cream across APAC
Bebop is dairy-free and made entirely with plant fats. The firm is focusing on Asian markets first partly because of proximity. Japan, however, is a particularly important market for Bebop because of its consumers’ appreciation for quality and craftsmanship.
In Japan, there is already a demand for similar products, but many competitors there produce them by hand, said Bebop co-founder David Pan. He believes that the firm’s own modern manufacturing facility gives it greater control over production and the ability to scale.