Japan started making homegrown cola in 1952 with the debut of Win-Cola, followed by Mission Cola a year later, according to the Japan Soft Drink Inspection Association, which certifies carbonated ...

Another popular option is the tamago sando, a Japanese egg salad sandwich. Whereas American convenience stores focus on soft drinks, coffee, and sweet slushy drinks, green tea dominates in Japan.

Sushi, teriyaki chicken, egg rolls, noodles and brightly-colored Japanese soft drinks were all favorites, as were freshly made smoothies and lemonade to cool off from the heat.

TOKYO -- Asahi Soft Drinks Co. on July 1 launched a three-month pilot project for its "Calpis faucet," letting people serve themselves the company's popular beverage by opening a spout.

Back in the 1980s, most carbonated and soft drinks were sold in bold red, orange and white containers, according to the JSDA. Yet given the high turnover rate in the Japanese beverage market ...

Behind Coca-Cola in Japan's packaged soft drinks market, Suntory has an 18.3 percent share and Kirin 11.1 percent, according to data from industry magazine publisher Inryo Soken.