Total of 29 People, Including Ano and Festival Officials from 8 Locations Nationwide, Gather at the 'Japan Nationwide 16 Charge Festival!!' Press Conference! Ano Takes on a Festival Quiz to Enliven the Collaboration Campaign!

Asahi Soft Drinks Co., Ltd., which produces 'Asahi Juroku Cha' featuring actor Yui Aragaki as its commercial character, held the 'Japan Nationwide 16 Charge Festival!!' press conference at Kanda Square Hall on Tuesday, April 7, 2026.

The 'Japan Nationwide 16 Charge Festival!!' starting today is a campaign linked to 8 festivals and fireworks displays across the country. Keeping the excitement from last year's highly successful 'Japan Nationwide 16Cha Relief Delivery Operation,' this year the scale has been further expanded to deliver '16 Charges' nationwide.

The background of this implementation lies in the shared desire between festivals, which 'pray for people's health,' and 'Asahi Juroku Cha.' From ancient times, local festivals and fireworks displays have prayed for people's health and happiness, expressing gratitude for the earth's bounty and warding off plagues. 'Asahi Juroku Cha' has also prioritized people's health, blending 16 types of ingredients to pursue both deliciousness and wellness. This alignment of visions has made this collaboration possible.

First, Mr. Toru Takahashi, General Manager of the Marketing Department 1 at the company, took the stage to explain this year's campaign: 'It is a project to tie up with representative festivals in 8 locations nationwide, delivering Juroku Cha and a '16 Charge'.' Reflecting on last year's highly popular event, he noted, 'Amidst the intense heat, we implemented it with the hope that consumers could spend the hot summer energetically, and it was extremely well received.'

■ First-ever Juroku Cha Kagami-biraki at Budokan Live: 'Gulping it down felt super great'

Artist Ano, who provides the vocals for the 'Asahi Juroku Cha' commercial song continuing from last year, appeared as a guest. Dressed in a green yukata symbolizing 'Asahi Juroku Cha,' she wrapped the venue in a festive mood. During the talk session, various discussions took place centering around 'Asahi Juroku Cha' and 'Festivals.'

Regarding the commercial song released last year, she received a lot of feedback from people around her, commenting with a smile, 'It seems it's a song everyone has known for a long time, so it sticks in their heads. Co-stars and fans told me a lot that they 'saw it'.' Also, for Ano, 'Asahi Juroku Cha' is a 'summer essential drink,' revealing, 'It's getting hotter and hotter, so I definitely want to gulp it down in the coming season.' Regarding her first Budokan live held last year, she recalled that as part of the 'Japan Nationwide 16Cha Relief Delivery Operation,' there were provisions of 'Asahi Juroku Cha.' She said, 'A kagami-biraki (traditional cask breaking) was prepared, and when I smashed it open, it was Juroku Cha. It was my first time doing a Juroku Cha kagami-biraki. The first drink I had after the Budokan was Juroku Cha, so it was incredibly fresh, and gulping it down felt super great.' She further added, 'Since Juroku Cha cooperated with the provisions, I also distributed it to the fans...'