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☆ Suntory CEO discusses new Japanese Whisky standards and global demand
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-02 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: 1 min

Share Share Article via Facebook Share Article via Twitter Share Article via LinkedIn Share Article via EmailSuntory CEO discusses new Japanese Whisky standards and global demandJapan's alcohol industry has implemented a new set of definition for Japanese whisky in an attempt to keep foreign-made spirits from being branded as Japanese. Suntory CEO Takeshi Niinami spoke with CNBC's Brandon Gomez about the new criteria, what it means for the spirits category as well as the company's expansion into the U.S. with ready-to-drink cocktail called, -196.

Persons: Takeshi Niinami, CNBC's Brandon Gomez Organizations: Suntory

☆ As Reddit goes public, advertisers say it needs to do more to prove it can boost their sales
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-21 | by ( Lara O'Reilly | Lauren Johnson | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

"Advertising on Reddit is rapidly evolving, and we are still in the early phases of growing this business," Reddit wrote in its IPO filing. The company said advertisers were attracted to Reddit due to its "high-intent" audience, much of which is hunting for product recommendations. And elsewhere, Reddit doesn't have the kind of e-commerce structure that Meta, TikTok, and Google have built, experts said. It has poached ad talent from companies like Pinterest and Meta to grow its ad business. Also last year, Jim Squires, a former longtime Meta ad exec, joined Reddit in a new role as EVP of business marketing and growth.

Persons: it's, Reddit, Reddit hasn't, Brad Kay, Reddit didn't, haven't, TikTok, Jerry Daykin, Daykin, Carly Carson, Reddit doesn't, Anthony Macro, Harold Klaje, Klaje, Jim Squires, Jeff MacDonald, That's, MacDonald, PMG's Carson Organizations: Google, Business, Brand, Meta, Beam Suntory, PPC, Reddit, YouTube Locations: Meta

☆ Shopify President says international business is a 'massive area of growth'
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-13 | by ( Julie Coleman | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

Shopify President Harley Finkelstein told CNBC's Jim Cramer on Tuesday how the e-commerce platform is bolstering its global business. "International is a massive area of growth for us," Finkelstein said. Shopify has also expanded its customer base beyond smaller merchants, serving brands such as Everlane, Nike Strength and Oscar de la Renta, he added. The company is also focused on business-to-business sales, working with wholesalers such as HVAC outfit Carrier . Shopify reported quarterly earnings before Tuesday's open, beating Wall Street's expectations but sending shares down due to mixed guidance for the current period.

Persons: Harley Finkelstein, CNBC's Jim Cramer, Finkelstein, Shopify, Oscar de la Organizations: Suntory, Nike Locations: Swedish, Shopify

☆ Global consumer confidence is weaker than it was in 2023, Suntory CEO says
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-18 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: 1 min

Share Share Article via Facebook Share Article via Twitter Share Article via LinkedIn Share Article via EmailGlobal consumer confidence is weaker than it was in 2023, Suntory CEO saysTakeshi Niinami of Suntory Holdings says that's because of the "huge escalation" in the Middle East, among many other factors, and adds that he's "not optimistic."

Persons: Takeshi Niinami Organizations: Suntory, Suntory Holdings

☆ Trump's potential return to the White House is dominating the chat at Davos
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-17 | by ( Silvia Amaro | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

watch nowSome Davos participants are already preparing their business for a potential Republican leader in the White House. "Considering what happened when President Trump was in office, his main interest is trade. He added that his company is allocating more resources to their operations in the United States so they can protect themselves against any trade disputes. "We have to produce locally, especially in the United States ... We have scenarios to be able to respond to that leadership change," he added. The United States is one of the main markets for Suntory, which is looking to expand its sales beyond China.

Persons: Donald Trump, State Rex Tillerson, Nicholas Kamm, I've, Tim Adams, Trump, Ron DeSantis, Nikki Haley, Joe Biden, Takeshi Niinami, Bill Winters, Biden Organizations: State, Economic, AFP, Getty, Institute of International Finance, CNBC, Florida Gov, South Carolina Gov, Republican, Trump, Democratic, Suntory, Congress, Standard Chartered, U.S Locations: Davos, Switzerland, DAVOS, United States, Swiss, Iowa, The Iowa, China, U.S, Washington, Beijing

[1/5] Taiko Nakamura samples whisky barreled in the year he founded at his distillery in Shizuoka, Shizuoka Prefecture, Japan October 25, 2023. The explosion of craft whisky in Japan follows a boom and bust in the industry. Last week, Sotheby's offered what it claimed was the most valuable collection of Japanese whisky at auction, headlined by a 52-year old bottle that sold for 300,000 pounds ($373,830). Suntory, Japan's biggest and best-known whisky maker, recently invested 10 billion yen ($67 million) to upgrade its distilleries, including its Yamazaki site. "I believe we need to put all our effort into making Japanese whisky that lives up to the quality of the Japanese whiskies made by our predecessors," he said.

Persons: Rocky Swift, Suntory's, Taiko Nakamura, Long, whiskies, Sotheby's, Shinji Fukuyo, Casey Wahl, Kamui, Shizuoka's Nakamura, Miral Organizations: REUTERS, Suntory, trailblazer, Nikka, Asahi Group, Japan's, Japanese distillers, Diageo, IJW Whiskey, Nikkei, Thomson Locations: Shizuoka, Shizuoka Prefecture, Japan, Yamazaki, Scotland, Hong Kong, Japanese, Komasa Kanosuke, Kentucky, Hokkaido, American, Rishiri

"Given the fast-changing landscape, I believe those who move fast (with wage hikes) should become competitive." A demand made this year by Rengo, Japan's largest trade union confederation, for pay hikes of "around 5%" resulted in average wage hikes of 3.58% among major companies. Six out of 10 economists in a Reuters poll expect major firms' pay hikes in 2024 to exceed this year's. The key, however, would be whether wage hikes broaden to smaller firms and those in the regional areas. A report by the BOJ's regional branch managers in October warned wage hikes remained uneven among sectors with many firms undecided on next year's pay increments.

Persons: Kim Kyung, Takeshi Niinami, Fumio, Kazuo Ueda, Hisashi Yamada, Rengo, Atsushi Takeda, Kishida, Keita Kondo, Tetsushi Kajimoto, Kentaro Sugiyama, Sam Holmes, Leika Organizations: REUTERS, Rights, Suntory Holdings Ltd, Reuters, Meiji, Life Insurance, Suntory Holdings, Bank, Japan, Hosei University, OECD, UA Zensen, Itochu Economic Research Institute, Thomson Locations: Tokyo, Japan, Ukraine, Saitama

China detained the executive, named in several media reports as Hiroshi Nishiyama, on suspicion of espionage in March, and he was formally arrested last month. Japan's then foreign minister protested the executive's detention with his Chinese counterpart on a visit to Beijing in April. China's foreign ministry did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Half the respondents in a recent survey of Japanese companies doing business in China said they would cut investments this year. It's a very difficult point in time to be navigating that as a decision maker, in business or politics," he said.

Persons: Fumio Kishida, Xi Jinping, Rahm Emanuel, Hiroshi Nishiyama, Japan's, Xi, Masashi Mizobuchi, Nishiyama, Takeshi Niinami, Niinami, Stefan Angrick, Yukiko Toyoda, Kiyoshi Takenaka, John Geddie, Sakura Murakami, Francis Tang, Laurie Chen, Antoni Slodkowski, Andrew Silver, Lincoln Organizations: Economic Cooperation, Kyodo, drugmaker Astellas Pharma, APEC, Reuters, Japanese Chamber of Commerce, Japan Association of Corporate, Suntory, Moody's Analytics, Thomson Locations: Asia, Bangkok, Thailand, TOKYO, BEIJING, China, San Francisco, Tokyo, U.S, Japan, Beijing, officialdom, Shanghai

TOKYO (AP) — The Japanese boys-band production company at the center of an unfolding sexual abuse scandal, Johnny & Associates, chose three former judges Wednesday to head its effort to compensate hundreds of victims. “We recognize that the late Johnny Kitagawa carried out sexual assaults over a long period, and we apologize to the victims from the bottom of our hearts,” the company said. Among the latest was Kao Corp., a chemical and cosmetics company, which cited “considerations for people’s various feelings” on Tuesday. McDonald’s Japan has also said it will stop using Johnny’s stars in future deals, but past ads featuring them remained on its official site. Johnny’s stars are extremely popular, leading to sponsorship revenue and hit TV shows.

Persons: Johnny Kitagawa, Kitagawa, Julie Keiko Fujishima, Johnny's, Noriyuki Higashiyama, Johnny’s, “, ”, McDonald’s, ___ Yuri Kageyama Organizations: TOKYO, Johnny & Associates, Asahi Group Holdings, Suntory Holdings, Kao Corp, Public, NHK, Japan Federation of Bar, Business, Rights Locations: Tokyo, Japan, McDonald’s Japan

TOKYO (AP) — Several major Japanese companies have decided to stop using stars who are represented by Johnny & Associates, an entertainment company at the center of a sexual assault scandal. Victims have come forward, demanding an apology and financial compensation from Johnny & Associates, which remains one of this nation’s most powerful entertainment companies. Critics say the mainstream news media kept silent because it didn’t want to lose access to Johnny’s stars for their programming. But public opinion has shifted dramatically in recent months, with the wave of companies dropping Johnny's expected to grow. Suntory Holdings said it will stop using Johnny’s personnel in its ads and has formally demanded improved corporate governance.

Persons: Johnny &, Junichi Okada, Toma Ikuta, Sho Sakurai, Johnny, Julie Keiko Fujishima, Johnny Kitagawa, Fujishima, Kitagawa, Hibiki, Hokuto, Atsushi Katsuki, Johnny's, ”, ___ Yuri Kageyama Organizations: TOKYO, Johnny, Johnny & Associates, Beverage, Asahi Group Holdings, Johnny’s, Japan Airlines, Nippon Life Insurance, Suntory Holdings, Asahi, Twitter Locations: Tokyo, SixTONES

☆ Analysis-China's economic gloom hangs over Japan's long-awaited recovery
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-06 | by ( Tetsushi Kajimoto | Leika Kihara | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

TOKYO (Reuters) - Policymakers in Tokyo believe China’s deepening economic woes could hit Japan’s fragile recovery, especially if Beijing fails to shore up demand with meaningful stimulus, potentially delaying an exit from ultra-loose monetary policy. China is Japan’s largest trading partner, accounting for 20% of its exports, having replaced the United States in 2020. “Exports to China had already been weak and headwinds to inbound tourism are clearly bad for Japan’s economy,” said Toru Suehiro, chief economist at Daiwa Securities. Firms also promised wage hikes unseen in three decades this year, heightening the case for a retreat from decades of ultra-loose monetary policy. The darkening outlook for Japan’s recovery may push back the timing of a BOJ policy shift.

Persons: Marko Djurica, Kazuo Ueda’s, ”, Hiroyuki Ogawa, Ogawa, Takeshi Niinami, Toru Suehiro, Ueda, Toyoaki Nakamura, “, Seisaku Kameda Organizations: REUTERS, Bank of Japan’s, Reuters, Japan, Komatsu Ltd, Komatsu, Suntory Holdings, Daiwa Securities, Japan’s Sompo Holdings Locations: TOKYO, Tokyo, Beijing, Japan, United States, China

In a sign of growing pessimism over China, the government also said its monthly economic report for August that "concern over China's outlook" was among risks to Japan's recovery. "Exports to China had already been weak and headwinds to inbound tourism are clearly bad for Japan's economy," said Toru Suehiro, chief economist at Daiwa Securities. "All in all, it's hard to justify tightening monetary policy any time soon." Firms also promised wage hikes unseen in three decades this year, heightening the case for a retreat from decades of ultra-loose monetary policy. The darkening outlook for Japan's recovery may push back the timing of a BOJ policy shift.

Persons: Marko Djurica, Kazuo Ueda's, Hiroyuki Ogawa, Ogawa, Takeshi Niinami, Toru Suehiro, Ueda, Toyoaki Nakamura, Seisaku Kameda, Tetsushi Kajimoto, Sam Holmes Organizations: REUTERS, Bank of Japan's, Reuters, Japan, Komatsu Ltd, Komatsu, Suntory Holdings, Daiwa Securities, Japan's Sompo Holdings, Thomson Locations: Tokyo, Japan, China, TOKYO, Beijing, United States

Suntory Beverage & Food Ltd.'s chief executive Makiko Ono speaks during an interview with Reuters at the company headquarters in Tokyo, Japan December 15, 2022. REUTERS/Issei Kato/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsTOKYO, Aug 30 (Reuters) - Japan's Suntory Beverage & Food (2587.T) sees Australia as a model for integrating canned alcoholic drinks into offerings in other global markets, Chief Executive Makiko Ono said. As Japan's second-biggest domestic maker of soft drinks, Suntory Beverage has traditionally focused on non-alcohol offerings under the umbrella of global spirits maker Suntory Group. In taking the top job at Suntory Beverage in April, Ono became the first woman to head a Japanese listed company valued at more than 1 trillion yen ($6.83 billion). But the record was soon broken when Yumiko Takano became chief executive of Oriental Land (4661.T), the operator of Tokyo Disneyland, in June.

Persons: Makiko Ono, Issei Kato, Japan's, Ono, Yumiko Takano, Rocky Swift, Clarence Fernandez Organizations: Suntory Beverage & Food Ltd, Reuters, REUTERS, Rights, Japan's Suntory Beverage & Food, Suntory Beverage, Suntory Group, Suntory Oceania, Suntory, Oriental, Thomson Locations: Tokyo, Japan, Australia, New Zealand, Australia's, Brisbane, Europe, Japanese

☆ We are offering more less-alcohol and non-alcohol drinks given consumer trends: Suntory CEO
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-14 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: 1 min

In this videoShare Share Article via Facebook Share Article via Twitter Share Article via LinkedIn Share Article via EmailWe are offering more less-alcohol and non-alcohol drinks given consumer trends: Suntory CEOTakeshi Niinami, President and CEO of Suntory Holdings, discusses the company’s product strategies amid persistent inflationary pressure and changing consumer trends.

Persons: Takeshi Niinami Organizations: Suntory, Suntory Holdings

☆ Dunkin is releasing spiked versions of their iced coffees and teas
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-14 | by ( Jordan Valinsky | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

After setting the internet abuzz last week, Dunkin’ will officially announce Monday the debut of Dunkin’ Spiked Iced Coffees and Iced Teas, which are both scheduled to roll out in the coming weeks. The two malt-based beverages, scheduled for an early September release, will feature eight flavors between them, all based on the chain’s iced coffee and tea flavors. Last year, Pabst Blue Ribbon axed their hard coffee flavor drink because of poor sales. The slightly sweet ice tea flavor is being sold in a six-pack of 12-ounce cans and a single 19.2-ounce cans. Dunkin' Spiked iced tea is coming out in late August.

Persons: New York CNN —, Dunkin ’, Dunkin, RTDs, ” Duane Stanford, ”, Samuel Adams, Dave Williams, Bump, ” Dunkin, Scott Murphy, ” Stanford, “, Bravo’s, Brian Gilbert Organizations: New, New York CNN, Beverage Digest, CNN, Boston Beer Company, Bump Williams Consulting, Pabst, Ribbon, Molson Coors, La, Dunkin Locations: New York, Kahlua, Florida , Massachusetts, Texas, England

☆ Springboks include injured skipper Kolisi in World Cup squad
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-08 | by ( Mark Gleeson | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

JOHANNESBURG, Aug 8 (Reuters) - South Africa captain Siya Kolisi was included in the squad for next month’s Rugby World Cup but other key players left out because of injury, including influential flyhalf Handre Pollard and World Cup-winning centre Lukhanyo Am. There are 12 World Cup debutants but the Boks kept the bulk of the side that won the tournament in Japan four years ago. Also out is Lood de Jager, the giant lock who was also part of team four years ago. He heads a list of players who compete at a third World Cup tournament. South Africa play in Pool B at the World Cup where they also meet Romania, Ireland and Tonga.

Persons: Siya Kolisi, flyhalf Handre Pollard, Kolisi, Pollard, de Jager, Jacques Nienaber, De Jager, Nienaber, Frans Malherbe, Trevor Nyakane, Eben Etzebeth, Steph du Toit, Duane Vermeulen, Damian de Allende, Jesse Kriel, Kurt, Lee Arendse, Faf de Klerk, Andre Esterhuizen, Jaden Hendrikse, Cheslin Kolbe, Willie le Roux, Manie, Makazole Mapimpi, Canan Moodie, Cobus Reinach, Damian Willemse, Grant Williams, Pieter, Deon Fourie, Steven Kitshoff, Jean Kleyn, Vincent Koch, Malcolm Marx, Kubota Spears, Bongi Mbonambi, Franco Mostert, Nche, Marvin Orie, Kwagga Smith, Marco van Staden, Jasper Wiese, Christian Radnedge Organizations: Rugby, Lukhanyo, Scotland, Argentina, SA Rugby, Wales, New Zealand, Twickenham, Romania, Tonga, Squad, Panasonic, Knights, Canon Eagles, Harlequins, Suntory, Eagles, Toyota, Honda, Snyman, Leicester Tigers, Thomson Locations: JOHANNESBURG, South Africa, Marseille, Japan, Cardiff, New, Ireland, Montpellier, Ulster, Munster, Stormers

☆ This rare female painter in Edo Japan was ‘coveted’ for her exquisite ink paintings
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-02 | by ( Jacqui Palumbo | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +9 min

But he laments the fact that Yukinobu — and other women artists from Japan — are not given more prominence beyond occasional inclusion in broad group shows. But she never signed her paintings, according to Kanō tradition, as Kanō Yukinobu. The Denver Art Museum alone has 13 imitations of Yukinobu paintings, and only one authentic work. A peony in the collection of MFA Boston (not on view), which holds several Yukinobu paintings. “There’s a core group of female scholars who are pursuing this (the study of Japanese women artists),” he explained.

Persons: Kiyohara Yukinobu, —, ”, Einor Cervone, Yukinobu, Benzaiten, Paul Berry, “, ” Berry, Kanō Tan’yū, Kusumi Morikage, Berry, Cervone, Yang Guifei, Tang, Xuanzong, it’s, Kiyohara, consort Yang Guifei, ” Cervone, Boston Berry, he’s, don’t, Picasso, I’m, It’s Organizations: CNN, Denver Art Museum, Tokyo National Museum, Miho Museum, Metropolitan Museum of Art, Museum of Fine Arts Boston, Boston, Suntory Museum of Art, Women’s University Locations: Japan, Kyoto, New York, “, Tokyo, Shibuya, East Asia

☆ Suntory CEO on Japan's economy: We are now facing a tipping point from deflation to inflation
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-18 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: 1 min

Share Share Article via Facebook Share Article via Twitter Share Article via LinkedIn Share Article via EmailSuntory CEO on Japan's economy: We are now facing a tipping point from deflation to inflationSuntory Holdings CEO Takeshi Niinami joins 'Squawk on the Street' to discuss how global investors have 'discovered' Japan, whether the central bank of Japan will continue raising rates, and more.

Persons: Takeshi Niinami Organizations: Suntory Locations: Japan

Last month, he called on companies to hike pay at a level above inflation, with some already heeding the call. Last month, Japan recorded its biggest drop in earnings, once inflation is taken into account, in nearly a decade. A changing job marketExperts say Japan’s wages have also suffered because it lags in another metric: its productivity rate. Hideya Tokiyoshi, a teacher in Japan, told CNN he had barely seen his salary go up over the last 30 years. “If some of the biggest companies in Japan raise wages, many other firms will follow,” if only to stay competitive, said Yamaguchi.

☆ Suntory CEO expects next BOJ governor to show clear policy roadmap
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-24 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

The BOJ stuck to its ultra-easy policy at a two-day policy meeting that ended on Jan. 16, defying investors who had bet on it ceasing to defend a cap on the 10-year government bond yield. The cap is part of a policy called yield curve control (YCC). But Niinami said expectations were growing that the BOJ would sooner or later end its expansionist experiment. "The ultra-easy policy can't be kept forever, given current (economic) conditions. Niinami also said economic growth led by the private sector would be needed to help prevent Japan's financial health worsening further.

☆ Davos fireside chat with the Suntory CEO
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-20 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: 1 min

Share Share Article via Facebook Share Article via Twitter Share Article via LinkedIn Share Article via EmailDavos fireside chat with the Suntory CEOFor Suntory Holdings, one of the world’s leading producers of whisky and other beverages, the supply of water is vital to business. Takeshi Niinami, the company’s CEO, joins CNBC to talk about protecting the world’s water resources and setting ambitious goals to reduce carbon emissions.

☆ Suntory CEO on building renewable energy powered plants
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-20 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: 1 min

Share Share Article via Facebook Share Article via Twitter Share Article via LinkedIn Share Article via EmailSuntory CEO on building renewable energy powered plantsIn a CNBC fireside chat with Karen Tso, Suntory CEO Takeshi Niinami shares some the company's initiatives to achieve sustainability goals.

☆ Japan needs an exit plan from negative rates, Suntory CEO says
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-18 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: 1 min

Share Share Article via Facebook Share Article via Twitter Share Article via LinkedIn Share Article via EmailJapan needs an exit plan from negative rates, Suntory CEO saysTakeshi Niinami, CEO of Japan's largest alcohol and beverage manufacturer Suntory, discusses the economic situation in Japan and what the business community wants to see from the government and central bank.

☆ Kirin seeks more North American craft beer factories after strong growth
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-21 | by ( Miho Uranaka | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

REUTERS/Issei KatoTOKYO, Dec 21 (Reuters) - Kirin Holdings (2503.T), Japan's second-largest brewer, is looking to buy factory facilities in North America to maintain strong growth in the region's craft beer market, its chief executive said. Kirin has seen sales volumes in the North American craft beer market climb by double-digit percentage figures since acquiring Colorado-based New Belgium Brewing in 2019 and Bell's Brewery in Michigan in 2021. "Our craft beer business in North America is on a roll," CEO Yoshinori Isozaki said in an interview with Reuters on Tuesday. North American craft beer is also now the company's most profitable segment among global businesses that span everything from whisky to probiotic health drinks, he added, without disclosing profit margins. Kirin had craft beer sales of about 60 billion yen ($454 million) in the year ended in March, accounting for 3% of global sales.

☆ Jim Beam offers novel fix for holiday blues: hug-simulating pajamas
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-08 | by ( Parija Kavilanz | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

New York CNN —Bourbon brand Jim Beam is offering what could possibly be the weirdest gift for the holidays — hug-simulating pajamas. The unisex red flannel “Kentucky Hug” PJ set looks like your basic comfy plaid pajamas, with one exception. This helps foster that spirit of connection, no matter your proximity to your people,” said Matt Plumb, senior director of marketing for North American Whiskey at Beam Suntory, maker of Jim Beam. JIm Beam is selling hug-simulating pajamas for the holidays. Jim BeamSo why are they called “Kentucky hug” pajamas?

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