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Japan loves ice cream, so when Ben and Jerry’s started opening locations here in 2012, it was welcomed with open arms.
But the Vermont-based company didn’t just bring its assortment of tasty flavors with untranslatable pun-based names. It also brought its well-known commitment to social activism with it. In keeping with those values, Ben & Jerry’s Japan is offering free ice cream to encourage people to vote in Sunday's upper house election.
Collecting on your free treat isn’t quite as simple as walking up the counter and shouting “I’m gonna vote!” but it’s not that much more complicated.
Ben & Jerry’s Japanese website currently has a page asking people to “put the same amount of thought into choosing the future leaders of Japan as you do into choosing your ice cream.” Visitors are asked to choose which of Ben & Jerry’s flavors they like the most, a stark contrast to all too many political elections where people have to select the candidate they dislike the least.
After choosing your favorite flavor, a message will appear asking to post a comment on your Facebook page declaring “I’m going to vote in the election next Sunday!” Grant permission, then show the page to the clerk at Ben & Jerry’s for a free small ice cream. We’re guessing a smartphone is the easiest way to do this, although nothing on the company’s website says you can’t bring in your laptop, or your desktop from the office with a really long extension cord.
The promotion runs from July 21 to Aug 4, and the offer is only good at three Ben and Jerry’s locations in Tokyo: Lalaport Toyosu, Omote Sando Hills, and Coppice Kichijoji.
Read more stories from RocketNews24. -- Keep Others’ Hands Off with Ben & Jerry’s Euphori-Lock -- Häagen-Dazs Closes Last Store -- Get a Block of Dry Ice When Ordering Ice Cream To-Go
© RocketNews24
15 Comments
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Alex Einz
can a foreigner do that?
borax
Vote? Generally speaking, no.
borax
Vote for ice cream, though...I would hope they let us do that much.
Virtuoso
How about a half portion if I pay my taxes?
Disillusioned
Awesome comparison! So, the federal election is less important than choosing ice cream flavors? I've been in Japan for over a decade and with a voter turnout between 30-60%. It sounds about right to me!
KariHaruka
Each of the ice cream flavours never leaves me disappointed. The same can't be said for the people we were supposed to vote for.
gogogo
Give all your private facebook information to a large company for free ice cream? No thanks!
Alex Einz
large company already has all your information....you might as well get an icecream out of it
gogogo
I'm not talking about facebook I'm talking abut Ben & Jerry's, you are trading your personal information for free icecream by installing their facebook app.
some14some
No thanks.
knowitall
Well, it only makes sense as there is no such thing as a federal election in Japan. Japan is a constitutional monarchy, not a federation. So, until it becomes a federation, I will take the ice cream over something that doesn't exist.
StJapan
Love how ice cream is a motivator to vote LoL
nath
Speaking of Ben & Jerry's + politics, I think Americone Dream would sell well in Japan, even though few people know Stephen Colbert outside the U.S.
Lowly
I freaking LOVE b&j's ice cream.
They taste better than anything else, and plus I hale from New England. Anyone remember how their cups were sold in conbinis for about 4 1/2 mos like 10 or 12 yrs ago?? I was so happy and then--- Gone!
Now they are back, gotta get on that website to see if any stores are opened in Kansai, as it doesn't sound like they are unloading into konbinis this time.
I agree with virtuoso, they should give some to furreners who can' vote, for something that we do, like pay taxes...
In the interim, I checked the site- still only three shops in jpn, all Tokyo addresses. I hope wi get one in Kansai soon....
ka_chan
I'm not sure you can call Ben and Jerry's a Vermont based company since in 2000, Unilever an Anglo-Dutch multinational bought the company. But considering hippie type medical school want to be and a college drop out started a company which originally had a policy that no employee's rate of pay would be more than 5 times that of an entry employee, they sure have gone far. And yes, the main Vermont factory is still making the ice cream. I think it was part of the sales agreement with Unilever.