Global beverage company Coca-Cola is entering a new sector by unveiling its first alcopop-style beverage in Japan.

Coca-Cola is experimenting with creating a popular type of Japanese alcopop called Chu-Hi, which contains distilled shochu alcohol mixed with flavoured carbonate water.

An alcopop is a flavoured beverage with relatively alcohol content.

Coca-Cola Japan president Jorge Garduño said: “We haven’t experimented in the low alcohol category before, but it’s an example of how we continue to explore opportunities outside our core areas.”

“Coca-Cola has always focused entirely on non-alcoholic beverages, and this is a modest experiment for a specific slice of our market.”

According to Coca-Cola, due to the ‘unique and special’ qualities of the Japanese market, the concept of alcoholic Coca-Cola drinks is likely to stay within Japan, rather than expand globally.

Garduño continued: “Coca-Cola has always focused entirely on non-alcoholic beverages, and this is a modest experiment for a specific slice of our market.

“The Chu-Hi category is found almost exclusively in Japan. Globally, it’s not uncommon for non-alcoholic beverages to be sold in the same system as alcoholic beverages. It makes sense to give this a try in our market.”

Japanese drinks manufacturers, such as Kirin, Suntory and Asahi, have already produced popular Chu-Hi drinks, and are planning to experiment with more flavours.