Coca-Cola Bottlers Japan to Begin Handling Japan's No.1* Energy Drink Brand "Monster Energy" in Vending Machines This Summer

Coca-Cola Bottlers Japan Inc. (Headquarters: Minato-ku, Tokyo; Representative Director, President and CEO: Karim Dragan; hereinafter, "the Company"), based on agreements with Monster Energy Japan LLC (Headquarters: Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo; Representative: Mitsuhiro Matsumoto) and Asahi Soft Drinks Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Sumida-ku, Tokyo; Representative Director, President: Kayoko Kondo; hereinafter, "Asahi Soft Drinks"), which holds the domestic sales rights, will begin handling Japan's No.1* energy drink brand "Monster Energy" in vending machine channels starting this summer.

*Estimated by Inryo Soken: Energy drink market, January-December 2025, manufacturer's sales volume (Japan)

Through this initiative, the Company aims to introduce a leading energy drink brand into its industry-leading vending machine network, which is its strength, thereby expanding customer choices and purchasing opportunities, and significantly improving sales growth and profitability. This will contribute to the creation of value and accelerated growth in the vending business, helping to achieve the ambitious goals set forth in the medium-term management plan "Vision 2030."

The product to be handled is "Monster Energy (355ml can)," and sales will commence in vending machines around the peak season this summer, with product supply from Asahi Soft Drinks. The rollout will be progressively expanded throughout the Company's business areas, covering all 1 metropolis, 2 prefectures, and 35 other prefectures.

<Product Overview>

Product Name: Monster Energy

Container/Volume: Can 355ml

Suggested Retail Price: 213 yen (excluding tax), 230 yen (including tax)

Category: Carbonated Beverage

Sales Channel/Region: Vending machines in the Company's business areas

The energy drink brand "Monster Energy" has been widely sold worldwide since its launch in the United States in 2002. It arrived in Japan in 2012 and has continued to increase its fan base as a leading energy drink brand in Japan. Monster Energy is not just a drink; it creates time for fans to enjoy together through various scenes such as music, gaming, motorsports, and action sports, embodying a lifestyle contained in a can.

Coca-Cola Bottlers Japan positions its extensive network of vending machines as crucial assets, with each machine acting as an unmanned retail store, generating customer contact points 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. The Company has been quick to embark on a transformation of its vending business, continuously working to improve productivity and efficiency of vending machine operations through digitalization, utilization of technology, and review of processes. By newly deploying the "Monster Energy" product, which attracts many fans worldwide, the Company will further accelerate its business transformation and contribute to the further revitalization of the vending machine market in Japan.

Under the mission of "delivering happy moments to everyone and creating value," the Company will continue to collaborate with various partners to provide sustainable value to all stakeholders.

*The information described in this news release is current as of the announcement date. Please note that the latest information may differ.