Thursday, June 9, 2005

Pocari Sweat



Pocari Sweat (ポカリスエット) is a popular Japanese soft drink, manufactured by Otsuka Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.. It was first sold in 1980. The drink is also produced and distributed in other regional countries, such as Hong Kong, South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand, and the United Arab Emirates. In addition the drink can be obtained in the "Chinatown" areas of many cities around the world. It is sold in liquid form, in aluminium cans and plastic bottles, and also in powder form.

The reference to the bodily fluid resulting from perspiration in the name of the beverage tends to have a certain unpleasant or humorous connotation for native English speakers.

However, the name was chosen by the manufacturers originally for the purpose of marketing the product as a sports drink in Japan, where people generally do not mentally translate names appearing in English and are therefore not bothered by the connotation.

7 comments:

  1. Yes! POCARI Sweat has orredi become the most wanted energy drink in Indonesia too ^^

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  2. It tastes like Fresca. It's not that bad really.

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  3. It has now found its way to Mainland China, as well. Although in its Mainland manifestation, its Japanese origins are less obvious.

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  4. it doesn't give me any information at all!!!!! I have to do an assignment on it...

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  5. Never Tasted it , I've probably Tasted better

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  6. I fell in love with Pocari when I was in Japan and have been missing it here in Canada... I just recently found a supplier who will ship the powder here tho... so I am happy again!

    ^_^

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  7. My girlfriend & I love Pocari Sweat and other novelty Japanese drinks like 'Calpis Water', sold in Sydney's Chinatown. Actually I thought Pocari Sweat was Korean, err. Pocari Sweat actually tastes great, it's refreshing but not too sweet like many such drinks. I hope they never change the name or the drink, it's just right as it is.

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