The "Golden Duo" Co-star in an Asahi Beer commercial

 

On May 13, Asahi Beer launched its new brand "Asahi Dry Shochu Highball" and began airing its TV commercial the same day. This highball is a canned chuhai featuring a high alcohol content (8% ABV) and a dry taste.

The day before, a new commercial launch event was held at Laforet Museum Roppongi in Minato Ward, Tokyo.
At the outset, Shigeru Eda, General Manager of the Marketing Division, stated, "This product responds to the diversification ofconsumer preferences. It also incorporates functional benefits, being zero sugar and zero purine." Mari Tsuda from the same division explained the product development process, citing survey results. "Our target is men in their 30s and 40s. We want them to enjoy it with various dishes," she said.

The "Sharp Impact" version features actors Toshiaki Karasawa and Toshiro Yanagiba. Karasawa plays the head of Asahi's product development, while Yanagiba plays a TV news director. The story follows Karasawa announcing the new product to the media. Yanagiba, tasting the product while watching the news, exclaims its deliciousness to Karasawa on screen.

 

Appearing in the same outfits as the commercial, the two actors delivered a well-synchronized talk. Yanagiya displayed their closeness, saying things like, "I think we're a golden duo." During the talk, they energized the venue with responses incorporating the product's features, such as "It's spicy, isn't it~" and "It's sharp and crisp!" They then performed a ceremonial opening of a giant can to commemorate the launch. President Koji Akiyoshi, who rushed to the venue, stated, "Pre-orders have far exceeded our targets. Sales are likely to surge further thanks to the commercial's impact." He revealed the second installment of the commercial will air in July. The product website ( asahibeer.co.jp/shochu-high/ ) also features the commercial and behind-the-scenes footage.