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Osaka Expo Shop Stops Sale of Drink Tied to Controversial Unification Church
The existence at Expo of the carbonated barley drink, whose parent company is almost wholly owned by the Church, caused an online backlash.
By Jay Allen
A notorious South Korean drink made a brief appearance at Osaka Expo. I say “brief” because the barley beverage has now been yanked. And it’s all due to the company’s ties to the controversial church at the center of the assassination of ex-Prime Minister Abe Shinzō.
McCol reappears — and disappears once again — from Japan
After a rough start, Osaka Expo is currently in full swing on the manmade island of Yumeshima. The World Pavilion, with over 158 countries and territories in attendance, is the centerpiece of the Expo — an opportunity to sample cultural experiences and cuisines from the world over.
Except, now, for one drink.
The controversy centers around McCol (メッコール; Korean: 맥콜), a carbonated barley drink from South Korea. The beverage isn’t new to Japan; it used to be sold in various areas of the country. At one time, its manufacturer ran an ad on Japanese airwaves featuring K-pop legend Cho Yong-pil in a 30-second spot that’s a bold rip-off of A-ha’s “Take On Me.”
