Bringing Japan's Traditional Beverage "RAMUNE" to 196 Countries Worldwide Through Original Characters
Hata Kosen Co., Ltd. is expanding its traditional Japanese Ramune beverage globally, aiming to reach 196 countries. They are utilizing original characters, "HATA Characters" and "Ramunin," to promote Ramune and overcome export challenges, having already shipped to 97 countries. The company believes these characters will help introduce Ramune's unique sensory experience to a wider international audience.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: April 1, 2026 at 17:00
- 🔍 Collected: April 1, 2026 at 09:04
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: April 16, 2026 at 18:45 (369h 41m after Collected)
Our company supports "April Dream," an initiative that aims to make April 1st a day for sharing dreams. This press release outlines the dream of Hata Kosen Co., Ltd.
Hata Kosen Co., Ltd. aims to export Ramune, a traditional Japanese beverage, to 196 countries worldwide, striving for a world where the words "RAMUNE" and "HATA" are recognized globally.
### Exporting to 97 Countries Worldwide
As of March 2026, Hata Kosen has a track record of exporting Ramune to 97 countries. While we currently ship to approximately half the countries in the world, it also means there is still another half we have yet to reach. At Hata Kosen, we produce and sell Ramune every day, believing that drinking it will bring smiles to people all over the world.
The unique, beautifully curved bottle; the ritualistic fun of popping the glass marble to open it; the fizz of carbonation upon opening; the refreshing balance of acidity and sweetness; and the somewhat sentimental, fleeting "clink" of the glass marble in the empty bottle after drinking—Ramune is packed with elements that stimulate the five senses and is beloved worldwide as "RAMUNE."
### To Make RAMUNE Take Root Globally
To ensure RAMUNE is constantly in circulation overseas and to encourage people of all generations to discover and enjoy it, we launched a PR project last year featuring our original characters titled "HATA Characters." We created characters symbolizing six carefully selected flavors and designed packaging where the characters are placed over the Katakana "ラムネ" (Ramune) text. With the determination to carry the legacy of "Ramune" and spread it as "RAMUNE," these characters—familiar as part of Japanese culture—will create further opportunities for people to encounter and experience RAMUNE.
* **Aoi Ramune** (Ramune flavor)
* **Suzaku Ichigo** (Strawberry)
* **Rokuju Melon** (Melon)
* **Nangoku Pine** (Pineapple)
* **Aiba Ai** (Blue Hawaii/Blueberry)
* **Mashiro Raichi** (Lychee)
*(Group shot of Character Ramune)*
### Corporate Character Born on the 80th Anniversary
In 2026, Hata Kosen celebrates its 80th anniversary, marking the birth of our corporate character, "Ramunin." We position Ramunin as a character that connects and weaves people together through Ramune, resonating both at home and abroad.
Starting within Japan, we will forge ahead to create opportunities for people to get to know us through mascot costumes and merchandise, spreading the word that Hata Kosen has its own characters.
### Future Developments
* Selling only character-bottled Ramune at event exhibitions to expand domestic character recognition.
* Creating merchandise to help people feel more familiar with the characters.
* Creating opportunities for people to interact directly with Ramunin through mascot costumes.
* Sharing character information on social media platforms like X and Instagram to help the characters grow.
* Introducing new flavor characters—whether they be allies, enemies, or rivals—to cater to various taste preferences worldwide.
* Selling products in multilingual packaging (other than Japanese) to boost ease of distribution.
### Closing
Exporting faces many practical challenges such as distribution, pricing, and cultural differences. However, we believe our original characters will break through these barriers. We aim to expand Japan's unique Ramune using the character content that Japan is so proud of.
Please look forward to our report in the near future when we reach the major milestone of exporting to 100 countries. **Kawaii is justice!**
**Web Shop:** [https://www.hata-kosen.jp/](https://www.hata-kosen.jp/)
**Official X:** [https://x.com/hataramuneworld](https://x.com/hataramuneworld)
**Official Instagram:** [https://www.instagram.com/hata_kosen_ramune?igsh=NzRpcHIyMm85dm80](https://www.instagram.com/hata_kosen_ramune?igsh=NzRpcHIyMm85dm80)
**Tsunemoku-sama (Illustrator):** [https://potofu.me/tsunemoku](https://potofu.me/tsunemoku)
Hata Kosen Co., Ltd. aims to export Ramune, a traditional Japanese beverage, to 196 countries worldwide, striving for a world where the words "RAMUNE" and "HATA" are recognized globally.
### Exporting to 97 Countries Worldwide
As of March 2026, Hata Kosen has a track record of exporting Ramune to 97 countries. While we currently ship to approximately half the countries in the world, it also means there is still another half we have yet to reach. At Hata Kosen, we produce and sell Ramune every day, believing that drinking it will bring smiles to people all over the world.
The unique, beautifully curved bottle; the ritualistic fun of popping the glass marble to open it; the fizz of carbonation upon opening; the refreshing balance of acidity and sweetness; and the somewhat sentimental, fleeting "clink" of the glass marble in the empty bottle after drinking—Ramune is packed with elements that stimulate the five senses and is beloved worldwide as "RAMUNE."
### To Make RAMUNE Take Root Globally
To ensure RAMUNE is constantly in circulation overseas and to encourage people of all generations to discover and enjoy it, we launched a PR project last year featuring our original characters titled "HATA Characters." We created characters symbolizing six carefully selected flavors and designed packaging where the characters are placed over the Katakana "ラムネ" (Ramune) text. With the determination to carry the legacy of "Ramune" and spread it as "RAMUNE," these characters—familiar as part of Japanese culture—will create further opportunities for people to encounter and experience RAMUNE.
* **Aoi Ramune** (Ramune flavor)
* **Suzaku Ichigo** (Strawberry)
* **Rokuju Melon** (Melon)
* **Nangoku Pine** (Pineapple)
* **Aiba Ai** (Blue Hawaii/Blueberry)
* **Mashiro Raichi** (Lychee)
*(Group shot of Character Ramune)*
### Corporate Character Born on the 80th Anniversary
In 2026, Hata Kosen celebrates its 80th anniversary, marking the birth of our corporate character, "Ramunin." We position Ramunin as a character that connects and weaves people together through Ramune, resonating both at home and abroad.
Starting within Japan, we will forge ahead to create opportunities for people to get to know us through mascot costumes and merchandise, spreading the word that Hata Kosen has its own characters.
### Future Developments
* Selling only character-bottled Ramune at event exhibitions to expand domestic character recognition.
* Creating merchandise to help people feel more familiar with the characters.
* Creating opportunities for people to interact directly with Ramunin through mascot costumes.
* Sharing character information on social media platforms like X and Instagram to help the characters grow.
* Introducing new flavor characters—whether they be allies, enemies, or rivals—to cater to various taste preferences worldwide.
* Selling products in multilingual packaging (other than Japanese) to boost ease of distribution.
### Closing
Exporting faces many practical challenges such as distribution, pricing, and cultural differences. However, we believe our original characters will break through these barriers. We aim to expand Japan's unique Ramune using the character content that Japan is so proud of.
Please look forward to our report in the near future when we reach the major milestone of exporting to 100 countries. **Kawaii is justice!**
**Web Shop:** [https://www.hata-kosen.jp/](https://www.hata-kosen.jp/)
**Official X:** [https://x.com/hataramuneworld](https://x.com/hataramuneworld)
**Official Instagram:** [https://www.instagram.com/hata_kosen_ramune?igsh=NzRpcHIyMm85dm80](https://www.instagram.com/hata_kosen_ramune?igsh=NzRpcHIyMm85dm80)
**Tsunemoku-sama (Illustrator):** [https://potofu.me/tsunemoku](https://potofu.me/tsunemoku)