Japan's leading breweries are racing to increase beer production, in anticipation of a rise in demand this summer. Domestic beers are selling well, especially at restaurants and bars. Sapporo Breweries plans to boost its year-on-year production for July by about 10 percent, at factories in Chiba and other regions. Suntory Holdings will also increase its production volume next month by 15 percent. 

Attempting to read and understand food labels in Japan can be a tricky thing. Even when being able to read hiragana, katakana and some kanji, the majority of the food labels are still confusing to many consumers -- EVEN JAPANESE !!  Japan-based blogger Ashley (Surviving Japan) wrote this awesome guide on how to read food labels in Japan which we are now sharing with you. Enjoy to realize what you're eating in Japan! Thanks Ashley !!

Japanese drinks giant Asahi has decided to put its thousands of vending machines to better use by turning them into Wi-Fi hotspots, a move which should prove popular in a country where such hotspots are few and far between. In a country where vending machines can be found not only on every street corner, but in between every street corner, across from every street corner and beside every street corner, the idea of turning them into Wi-Fi hotspots is a stroke of genius.

In Japan, the end of March brings warmer weather, cherry blossoms and the start of the baseball season. Opening Day for the Pacific League was on March 20, and the Central League opens March 26. Lead by self-organized cheerleading teams, the crowds will chant elaborate cheers and songs (often a different cheer for each player), wave flags, jump up and down, and in the process work up a serious thirst for an ice cold beverage.

Suntory To Make Private-Label No-Malt Beers For Seven & I and Aeon  -- Suntory Liquors Ltd. will supply leading retailers Seven & i Holdings Co. and Aeon Co. with private-label no-malt beers from late July. In the past, beer has been supplied to select retailers on a limited-time basis, but this is the first time a brewer will regularly provide a private-brand product.