Daisuke Matsuzaka has yet to throw his first pitch for the Red Sox [team stats], but his beer-chugging sales pitch intended only for Japanese TV audiences is raising eyebrows and some concern half a world away.
A slick commercial for Asahi “Super” Dry beer features Matsuzaka donning a Red Sox jersey and throwing in full uniform in front of a simulated frenzied throng. In between those shots, Matsuzaka, in street clothes, is shown first taking a couple of gulps from a large glass of beer. After a quick cut, the shot returns to Matsuzaka downing the beer and, with foam on his lips, smiling and sighing contentedly.
AsahiÂ’s beer is No. 1 in overall sales in Japan and the ad campaign, which also features the YankeesÂ’ Hideki Matsui, is nothing unusual for Japan, where athletes are often used in beer endorsements and can be seen drinking on camera. |