Nagano

A Japanese comedy bit involving Nagano and Kuruma is circulating, in which they quip that fellow comedian Hasumi's face 'used to be Nan-chan but lately is Ut-chan' — a reference to the veteran duo Utchan Nanchan. The gag plays on Hasumi's changing look and resemblance to the famous comedians, drawing laughs among fans of Japanese owarai comedy.

A new report takes readers inside Suntory's two wineries in Nagano Prefecture, Tomi no Oka and its Shiojiri site, documenting vineyard work and winemaking first-hand. It highlights Merlot grown in Shiojiri, Petit Verdot from Tomi no Oka, and the use of Japanese mizunara oak barrels, showing how the company is developing Japanese wine production.