Asahi Breweries will not launch any new ³¦³ó¨±³ó²¹¾± products with alcohol content of 8% or higher, amid a shift to low-alcohol alternatives in Japan.
The canned fizzy cocktails made from ²õ³ó¨³¦³ó¨± or vodka ¡ª most commonly associated with Suntory Holding¡¯s Strong Zero brand ¡ª were pushed by drinks companies amid a long-term decline in beer sales, becoming fodder for social media memes in the process. But for the strongest variations at least, its days might be numbered.
Asahi¡¯s move, reported late last month but decided on in the fall, is in order to ¡°reduce inappropriate drinking¡± and follows an evaluation of the company¡¯s product line, a spokesperson for the company said, noting that there is a push to bolster its low-alcohol offerings.
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