Recently, news about the long-standing presence of the Japanese brand "Suntory" in the Chinese market has sparked heated discussions among netizens. It turns out that this brand, which has always been supported as a domestic product, actually comes from Japan.

In fact, since Suntory entered the Chinese market, it has always presented itself as a "domestic product" and has achieved considerable success, becoming the "number one tea beverage brand" in the hearts of many people.

However, it was unexpected that this was just part of Suntory's strategic layout in the Chinese market. They have been leveraging China's rich tea culture to endorse their products, quietly earning super-high profits under the "domestic product" guise.

I. Counterfeit "Domestic Products" Dominate the Chinese Market for 40 Years

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When it comes to the term "domestic product," I believe most people will feel a sense of intimacy, because domestic products are not only our own products but also carry our unique emotions for our motherland.

Due to the good reputation and quality assurance of domestic products, they also occupy a large market share in the daily lives of Chinese people, so Chinese consumers are also very fond of "domestic products."

In fact, there are quite a few so-called "domestic products" in the Chinese market, including many beverage brands.For example, brands such as Wahaha, Nongfu, and Uni-President are not only popular in every corner of the country with extremely high visibility, but they are also very popular in the international market.

However, there is a "domestic product" that has always been favored by Chinese consumers around us, and it is also regarded as a representative of tea drinks, which is the "Suntory" from Japan.

Since entering the Chinese market in 1978, this brand has always been mistakenly regarded as a domestic product, and it is also a very special one among many brands.

Compared with other Japanese brands, the name of Suntory looks more like a domestic product in China, and it has always been very popular in the Chinese market, even becoming the "number one tea drink brand" for a time.

However, it was unexpected that all of this was just a "deception" play of Suntory in the Chinese market. They have always been deliberately pretending to be domestic products and have achieved great success, with revenue for four consecutive years exceeding 100 billion yuan, which has far exceeded the revenue of other domestic brands.

It turns out that Suntory has been secretly using the strong patriotic feelings of Chinese consumers, pretending to be a domestic product, to obtain very substantial profits.

Over the years, they have not only attracted Chinese consumers through various marketing activities but also increased Chinese sentiment by using tea drinks as a "special symbol," taking the opportunity to secretly change the origin mark, hiding the "Made in Japan" label, and putting on the "domestic product" coat, staying in the Chinese market for more than 40 years without any sense of incongruity.From the product name, packaging to advertising, everything is subtly "playing tricks" without showing any "Japanese flavor" at all. All of this is to cater to Chinese consumers, making them feel that this is their own product, and they will naturally choose and support it.

In fact, the more deceived by "counterfeit" products, the more it makes people feel angry and heartbroken, because this has seriously violated the consumers' right to know, and it is also a provocation and disregard for China.

II. Suntory's "quiet scheming"

In the Chinese market, no matter what kind of product, as long as it has the word "domestic goods", it will naturally be accepted and liked by Chinese consumers.

Therefore, in order to better enter the Chinese market, many foreign brands have spent a lot of thought and effort to "pretend to be domestic goods", such as Suntory.

This brand is really "quietly scheming", and has never shown a trace of "Japanese" on the product.

In the Chinese market, their products are marked with traditional Chinese characters on the back, and the text on the packaging also uses Chinese red, and even the product's advertising slogan is in Chinese.It can be said that they are "masters" at leveraging the Chinese sentiment, constantly changing packaging designs in the background, and sparing no effort in using wherever there are "Chinese elements." They even cooperate with some well-known Chinese attractions and cultures, such as the Forbidden City and the Palace Museum.

In their product introductions, they also heavily promote these Chinese elements to endorse their products. Coupled with the advertisements that have been conveying "Chinese feelings," even Japanese consumers who see these advertisements will feel that these are products from China.

Suntory is very clear about the psychology of Chinese consumers, knowing that the emotional identification of Chinese people is very easy to be aroused. Therefore, they have been working on this aspect, using the sense of glory and pride of China to touch every Chinese consumer, making them feel that this is their own Chinese product, which is the "domestic product" that needs to be supported.

Only in this way can they win in the fierce market competition and become the first choice in the hearts of many Chinese consumers.

III. Consumers' "Right to Know"

In fact, after this incident was exposed, many Chinese consumers were very angry and helpless, because this has seriously violated their "right to know."Originally, they always believed that this was a Chinese product, which is why they chose and supported it. However, when they discovered the truth, they realized that they had been in a state of being "impersonated."

This has seriously affected the consumer experience and is a kind of disregard and provocation to them.

To some extent, the actions of Suntory have "tarnished" other foreign brands and have led many consumers to develop a distrustful mentality of "counterfeit domestic products."

Therefore, in future market competition, all brands need to be vigilant and should not easily "impersonate domestic products" again. They should respect consumers' right to be informed, and only in this way can they win the trust and support of consumers.

No matter what kind of product, only by truly ensuring quality and being responsible to consumers can it stand invincible in the market and become the first choice in the hearts of many consumers.

I believe that after the exposure of this incident, Suntory's days in the Chinese market will not be easy.

They, who have always enjoyed consumer support and substantial profits, are now facing the "boycott" and condemnation of countless consumers. Many people have spontaneously started advocating for the "boycott of Suntory" and hope that this incident can awaken more people's "awareness of protecting domestic products" and remind other foreign brands not to easily impersonate domestic products again.Finally, we also hope that our domestic products can be made better and better, not only having a good reputation, but also having sufficient strength and innovation, and can go international, becoming a real "world business card".