Japanese Snacks Change Colors

May 12, 2026, 18:50
AsiaInternational
A2

Japanese Snacks Change Colors

Introduction

Calbee is a big snack company in Japan. They will change the colors of their bags because they do not have enough materials.

Main Body

Calbee will use black and white bags for 14 products. They will start this on May 25, 2026. They need a special oil for ink. There is a war in the Middle East, so this oil is hard to find. Other companies have problems too. Some food companies use fewer colors. Some companies stopped making food because they have no plastic. Car and plane companies are also losing money. The Japanese government wants to help. They bought more oil from other countries in May. They are now buying more oil from the United States. The government says people do not need to save energy yet.

Conclusion

Companies in Japan are saving money and materials. The government is finding new places to buy oil.

Learning

πŸ’‘ The "Will" Pattern

When we talk about things that are going to happen in the future, we use will. It is a very simple tool for A2 learners.

How it works: Person/Company β†’\rightarrow will β†’\rightarrow action

Examples from the text:

  • Calbee β†’\rightarrow will β†’\rightarrow change colors
  • They β†’\rightarrow will β†’\rightarrow start this on May 25

πŸ› οΈ Vocabulary: Money & Business

Here are a few useful words from the story for your daily life:

  1. Company: A business that makes or sells things (Example: Calbee is a big company).
  2. Materials: The things you need to make a product, like plastic or oil.
  3. Losing money: When a business spends more than it earns.

🌍 Simple Logic: Cause β†’\rightarrow Effect

Notice how the story connects ideas:

  • Cause: War in the Middle East β†’\rightarrow Effect: Oil is hard to find.
  • Cause: No oil for ink β†’\rightarrow Effect: Black and white bags.

Vocabulary Learning

company (n.)
an organization that makes or sells goods or services
Example:Calbee is a big snack company.
snacks (n.)
small portions of food that people eat between meals
Example:They sell many different kinds of snacks.
colors (n.)
different shades of hue used to describe the appearance of objects
Example:The company will use black and white colors for its bags.
bags (n.)
large containers made of cloth or plastic used to carry items
Example:The bags are made of paper and plastic.
materials (n.)
things that are used to make or build something
Example:They do not have enough materials for the bags.
oil (n.)
a liquid used for cooking or as fuel
Example:They need a special oil for the ink.
ink (n.)
a liquid used for writing or printing
Example:The ink on the bags is printed with a special color.
war (n.)
a conflict between countries or groups
Example:There is a war in the Middle East.
food (n.)
things that people eat
Example:Food companies use fewer colors in their products.
plastic (n.)
a synthetic material that is flexible and can be molded
Example:Some companies stopped making food because they have no plastic.
government (n.)
the group of people who run a country
Example:The Japanese government wants to help.
save (v.)
to keep something for later use
Example:The government says people do not need to save energy yet.
energy (n.)
the power or strength to do something
Example:Energy can be saved by turning off lights.
buy (v.)
to purchase something
Example:They bought more oil from other countries.
new (adj.)
not existing before; recently made
Example:They found new places to buy oil.
B2

Japanese Companies Change Packaging Due to Middle East Oil Disruptions

Introduction

Calbee, Japan's leading snack manufacturer, has announced that it will temporarily use black-and-white packaging for several products because of raw material shortages caused by the conflict in Iran.

Main Body

Starting May 25, 2026, Calbee will use grayscale designs for 14 products, including potato chips and Frugra cereal. This decision was caused by a shortage of naphtha, a petroleum product used to make the inks for commercial printing. Japan relies on the Middle East for about 40% of its naphtha. The current problem began when the Strait of Hormuz was closed following military actions by the US and Israel against Iran, which disrupted 20% of global oil shipments and increased costs in Asia. Calbee is not the only company facing these issues. Other businesses, such as Itoham Yonekyu and several drink manufacturers, have also reduced the number of colors on their packaging. Furthermore, companies like Mizkan have stopped producing certain items because they lack plastic trays. These problems have also affected the automotive and aviation industries; for example, Toyota and Hyundai have seen lower profits, and Air Canada has cancelled several international flights due to high fuel costs. To address these problems, the Japanese government is trying to reduce public concern. Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary Kei Sato emphasized that the government has secured enough naphtha for essential services and tripled imports from other regions in May. Additionally, Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi asserted that Japan is diversifying its suppliers by buying more from the United States, and she stated that energy restrictions for citizens are not necessary at this time.

Conclusion

Japanese companies are continuing to save costs and resources while the government works to find new supply routes to avoid relying on the Strait of Hormuz.

Learning

⚑ The "Cause and Effect" Jump

At the A2 level, you probably say: "There is a war, so there is no ink." This is correct, but to reach B2, you need to connect ideas using formal causal links.

Look at how this article connects problems to results:

  1. "...caused by..." β†’\rightarrow Shortages caused by the conflict.
  2. "...due to..." β†’\rightarrow Flights cancelled due to high fuel costs.
  3. "...following..." β†’\rightarrow Closed following military actions.

Why this matters for B2: Instead of using the word "so" or "because" every time, B2 speakers use these phrases to sound more professional and precise.

πŸ› οΈ Vocabulary Upgrade: Precision Over Simplicity

Stop using "small" or "big" words. Notice these B2-level verbs from the text that replace basic A2 actions:

A2 Word (Simple)B2 Word (Precise)Example from Text
Help / FixAddressTo address these problems...
Say stronglyAssertTakaichi asserted that Japan is...
Make differentDiversify...diversifying its suppliers...

πŸ’‘ Pro Tip: The "Passive" Shift

Notice this sentence: "The current problem began when the Strait of Hormuz was closed."

An A2 student says: "The US closed the Strait." A B2 student says: "The Strait was closed."

The Secret: In B2 English, we often focus on the action (the closure) rather than the person doing it. This makes your writing sound objective and academic.

Vocabulary Learning

shortage (n.)
an insufficient supply of something
Example:The sudden shortage of raw materials forced the factory to halt production.
disrupted (v.)
interrupted or disturbed the normal flow of something
Example:Oil shipments were disrupted after the Strait of Hormuz was closed.
manufacturers (n.)
companies that produce goods
Example:Calbee, a snack manufacturer, changed its packaging to cope with the shortage.
suppliers (n.)
companies or individuals that provide materials or services
Example:Japan is diversifying its suppliers to reduce risk of shortages.
diversifying (v.)
making varied or including different options
Example:Japan is diversifying its suppliers by buying more from the United States.
resources (n.)
materials or assets that can be used
Example:The company is saving resources by using fewer colors on its packaging.
reliance (n.)
dependence on something
Example:Japan’s reliance on Middle East naphtha was highlighted by the recent disruptions.
concern (n.)
a worry or issue
Example:The government is addressing public concern about rising fuel costs.
essential (adj.)
absolutely necessary
Example:The government secured enough naphtha for essential services during the shortage.
tripled (v.)
increased threefold
Example:Imports from other regions tripled in May to meet the demand.
international (adj.)
involving more than one country
Example:Air Canada cancelled several international flights due to high fuel costs.
fuel costs (n.)
expenses for fuel
Example:High fuel costs caused airlines to cancel flights and increase ticket prices.
cancelled (v.)
called off or removed from a schedule
Example:Air Canada cancelled several international flights because of higher fuel costs.
profits (n.)
earnings after expenses have been deducted
Example:Toyota saw lower profits due to increased fuel costs and reduced sales.
government (n.)
the governing body of a country
Example:The Japanese government is trying to reduce public concern about fuel shortages.
public (adj.)
relating to or affecting the general population
Example:The government is addressing public concern about the impact on everyday life.
secured (v.)
obtained or guaranteed
Example:The government secured enough naphtha for essential services during the crisis.
imports (n.)
goods or services brought into a country from abroad
Example:Imports from other regions tripled in May to compensate for the shortage.
energy (n.)
power or the ability to do work
Example:Energy restrictions for citizens were deemed unnecessary at this time.
restrictions (n.)
limitations or rules that limit actions
Example:The government announced that energy restrictions would not be imposed.
C2

Adjustment of Japanese Industrial Packaging Specifications Amidst Middle Eastern Petrochemical Disruptions

Introduction

Calbee, Japan's primary snack manufacturer, has announced a temporary transition to monochrome packaging for several product lines due to raw material shortages linked to the conflict in Iran.

Main Body

The operational decision by Calbee involves the implementation of grayscale designs for 14 product variants, including potato chips, Kappa Ebisen, and Frugra cereal, effective May 25, 2026. This measure is a direct consequence of the instability in the supply of naphtha, a petroleum derivative essential for the production of resins and solvents utilized in commercial printing inks. Historically, Japan has maintained a high dependency on Middle Eastern imports for approximately 40% of its naphtha consumption. The current volatility was precipitated by the closure of the Strait of Hormuz following US and Israeli military actions against Iran, which disrupted approximately 20% of global oil shipments and caused a significant increase in Asian naphtha refining margins. This trend of aesthetic and operational austerity is not isolated to Calbee. Other industrial actors have reported similar constraints; for instance, Itoham Yonekyu and various beverage manufacturers have indicated potential reductions in packaging color palettes. Furthermore, Mizkan and Gyoza no Manshu have suspended specific product lines due to shortages of polystyrene and plastic trays. The broader economic impact extends to the automotive sector, with Toyota and Hyundai reporting diminished profits, and the aviation industry, where surging jet fuel costs have necessitated the suspension of several international routes by carriers such as Air Canada. In response to these systemic disruptions, the Japanese administration has sought to mitigate public and corporate apprehension. Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary Kei Sato stated that the government has secured adequate naphtha supplies for critical functions and has tripled imports from non-Middle Eastern sources during May. Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi further asserted that the state is diversifying its procurement strategies, including increased acquisitions from the United States, and maintained that mandatory energy restrictions for the citizenry remain unnecessary at this juncture.

Conclusion

Japanese manufacturers continue to implement cost-saving and resource-conservation measures as the government works to diversify petrochemical supply chains to bypass the Strait of Hormuz.

Learning

The Architecture of 'Institutional Distance'

To move from B2 to C2, a student must stop describing events and start describing mechanisms. The provided text is a masterclass in Nominalization and the Depersonalized Passive, a linguistic strategy used in high-level diplomacy, corporate reporting, and academic discourse to create a sense of objectivity and inevitability.

⚑ The C2 Pivot: From Action to Entity

B2 learners typically use verbs to drive a narrative ("The war in Iran caused a shortage of raw materials"). C2 mastery requires the transformation of these actions into nouns (nominalization) to shift the focus toward systemic causality.

Analyze this transition from the text:

*"The current volatility was precipitated by the closure of the Strait of Hormuz..."

  • The Mechanism: Instead of saying "The Strait closed, which caused volatility," the author uses "The current volatility" (Noun Phrase) as the subject.
  • The Nuance: The verb "precipitated" is used here not in a chemical sense, but as a sophisticated synonym for "triggered." This creates a clinical, detached tone that suggests the event is an economic phenomenon rather than a series of human choices.

🧩 Lexical Precision: 'Aesthetic and Operational Austerity'

C2 proficiency is defined by the ability to synthesize complex concepts into concise, high-impact adjectives.

Consider the phrase: "This trend of aesthetic and operational austerity..."

  • Aesthetic Austerity: A precise way to describe the shift to monochrome packaging without using simplistic words like "plain" or "cheap."
  • Operational Austerity: A sophisticated euphemism for "cutting costs because we have no choice."

By pairing these, the writer elevates a simple business decision (changing ink colors) into a broader socioeconomic trend.

πŸ› οΈ Syntactic Sophistication: The 'Systemic' Modifier

Note the use of "systemic disruptions" and "diversifying its procurement strategies."

At the B2 level, a student might say "problems in the system" or "buying from different places." The C2 level employs Latinate clusters (Systemic β†’\rightarrow Procurement β†’\rightarrow Diversifying). This is not merely "big words"; it is the use of professional jargon to establish authority and precision within a specific domain (Macroeconomics/Logistics).

Vocabulary Learning

monochrome (adj.)
Having only one color or hue; lacking color variation.
Example:The company switched to monochrome packaging to reduce production costs.
grayscale (adj.)
Consisting of shades of gray, from black to white, without color.
Example:The new product line features a sleek grayscale design.
instability (n.)
Lack of stability; tendency to change or collapse.
Example:The instability in the oil market forced companies to seek alternative suppliers.
naphtha (n.)
A light, volatile liquid hydrocarbon mixture used as a solvent or feedstock in petrochemical processes.
Example:Japan's dependence on imported naphtha has increased during the crisis.
petroleum (n.)
A naturally occurring liquid mixture of hydrocarbons used as fuel and raw material for chemicals.
Example:Petroleum derivatives are essential for producing resins.
derivative (n.)
A chemical product obtained by modifying a basic substance.
Example:Naphtha is a derivative of crude oil.
resins (n.)
Viscous, polymeric substances used to produce plastics and coatings.
Example:Resins are used in the manufacturing of printing inks.
solvents (n.)
Liquids that dissolve other substances.
Example:Solvents help dissolve pigments in inks.
consequence (n.)
A result or effect of an action or event.
Example:The shortage of raw materials had the consequence of higher prices.
volatility (n.)
The quality of changing rapidly and unpredictably, especially in price.
Example:Oil price volatility increased the cost of production.
precipitated (v.)
Caused to happen suddenly or abruptly.
Example:The conflict precipitated a sharp decline in shipments.
aesthetic (adj.)
Concerned with beauty or artistic taste.
Example:The company considered the aesthetic appeal of its packaging.
austerity (n.)
Strictness or severity in spending or use of resources.
Example:The industry faced austerity measures to cut costs.
industrial (adj.)
Relating to industry or manufacturing.
Example:Industrial actors responded to the crisis with new strategies.
constraints (n.)
Limitations or restrictions.
Example:Production constraints forced the company to halt some lines.
palette (n.)
A range of colors used by an artist or in design.
Example:The new palette features muted tones.
suspended (v.)
Temporarily halted or stopped.
Example:The company suspended certain product lines due to shortages.
shortages (n.)
A lack or scarcity of a needed item.
Example:Shortages of polystyrene affected packaging production.
polystyrene (n.)
A synthetic polymer used in packaging and insulation.
Example:Polystyrene trays were replaced with alternative materials.
trays (n.)
Shallow containers used for holding items.
Example:Plastic trays are essential for snack packaging.
economic (adj.)
Relating to the economy or financial matters.
Example:The economic impact of the disruption was significant.
aviation (n.)
The design, development, production, or operation of aircraft.
Example:Aviation companies faced higher fuel costs.
disruptions (n.)
Interruptions or disturbances in normal operations.
Example:The disruptions affected global supply chains.
mitigate (v.)
To make less severe or to alleviate.
Example:The government sought to mitigate public apprehension.
apprehension (n.)
Anxiety or fear about the future.
Example:Public apprehension rose as the crisis unfolded.
secured (v.)
Obtained or ensured.
Example:The administration secured enough supplies for critical functions.
tripled (v.)
Increased threefold.
Example:Imports from non-Middle Eastern sources tripled during the crisis.
procurement (n.)
The act of obtaining goods or services.
Example:Procurement strategies were diversified to reduce risk.
diversifying (v.)
Making varied or broadening.
Example:The company is diversifying its supply chain.
acquisitions (n.)
The act of acquiring or buying.
Example:Acquisitions from the United States increased.
mandatory (adj.)
Required by law or rules.
Example:Mandatory energy restrictions were deemed unnecessary.
conservation (n.)
The protection or preservation of resources.
Example:Conservation efforts aim to reduce waste.
bypass (v.)
To go around or avoid.
Example:The company bypassed the Strait of Hormuz to secure supplies.
cost-saving (adj.)
Designed to reduce costs.
Example:Cost-saving measures were implemented across the industry.
resource-conservation (adj.)
Practices aimed at preserving resources.
Example:Resource-conservation initiatives help the environment.
petrochemical (n.)
A chemical derived from petroleum used in plastics and other materials.
Example:Petrochemical supply chains were restructured to mitigate risk.
citizenry (n.)
The body of citizens in a country.
Example:The government addressed the concerns of the citizenry.
Strait of Hormuz (n.)
A narrow waterway between Oman and Iran that connects the Persian Gulf to the Arabian Sea.
Example:The closure of the Strait of Hormuz disrupted oil shipments.