Japanese candy makers ride Southeast Asia convenience store wave

Established distribution networks offer instant access to a vast consumer base

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Black Thunder chocolate bars made by Yuraku Confectionery. It and other midsize Japanese candy makers are trying to expand their presence in Southeast Asia.

KOSUKE IGUCHI, Nikkei staff writer

TOKYO -- The convenience store boom in Southeast Asia is providing midsize Japanese confectioners a new opportunity to enter the growing market. The stores' established distribution networks offer the candy makers instant access to sales channels, which until now has been the biggest challenge smaller players had to face. 

This has encouraged Japanese companies to make an ambitious push into the market, with one company deciding to produce locally.

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