KOBE -- It is cheap and safe to drink tap water in Japan. Still, the Nestle group, the world's top maker and supplier of mineral water, sees great potential for growth in the Japanese market.
For the Switzerland-based food conglomerate, which is best known here for its coffee products, mineral water accounts for only a fraction of its business in Japan.
"The consumption of mineral water in Japan is not large -- it's about 8 liters per head per year," said Wolfgang Reichenberger, president and representative director of Nestle Japan Ltd. "In Italy, each Italian consumes 175 liters of bottled water, and in France, the number is 123. So, you can see the potential."