JT adds Rich Melon to Nordic Spirit as Japan line reaches 8 SKUs

Japan Tobacco put Nordic Spirit Rich Melon Medium into select tobacco retailers across Japan on 2 November, lifting the brand’s published Japanese range to eight products, all priced at ¥500 including tax for a 14-pouch can.

The same rollout moved three mint variants out of online-only availability: Sweet Mint Medium, Sweet Mint Strong and Cool Mint X-Strong, which had been sold through the CLUB JT online shop since 6 October, now also reach physical tobacco counters. JT announced the plan on 19 October and the Japanese product page lists the melon variant with a 2 November release date.

Three mint SKUs gain stores rather than shelf space in the range

Only one product is new. Sweet Mint Medium, Sweet Mint Strong and Cool Mint X-Strong already existed; the November step widens where they can be bought rather than adding flavours.

JT describes the outlets as some tobacco retailers nationwide and has not said the four products entered the 7-Eleven, Lawson or NewDays convenience chains. The company also did not disclose store counts, distributor numbers or sales targets, so the reach of this retail step cannot be sized from the announcement.

Seven months of staged launches built an eight-SKU range

JT entered the Japanese oral nicotine category in March and has added flavours in steps, pairing each launch with a channel decision.

The eight count covers products JT has announced for Japan. It does not mean every SKU sits in the same store.

Rich Melon carries ¥500 for 14 pouches and no published nicotine figure

The new variant is made in Sweden, sold in 14-pouch cans and labelled Medium, one of the stimulation grades JT uses alongside Strong and X-Strong.

JT has not published milligrams of nicotine per pouch, initial shipment volumes or a sales forecast. Its grade labels describe oral sensation and cannot be converted into nicotine intake or compared numerically with another brand’s strength markings.

On price alone, VapeBrief’s calculation puts Rich Melon at about ¥35.71 per pouch (¥500 divided by 14). 2Firsts compares this with BAT Japan’s VELO Mango Ice Medium, listed at ¥380 for 15 pouches, or roughly ¥25.33 per pouch, a gap of ¥120 per can. The two products differ in formulation, category and strength grading, so the per-pouch figure does not indicate nicotine delivered or real cost per use.

Who is affected

Japanese tobacco retailers decide whether to stock a fourth Nordic Spirit flavour and three mint SKUs that were previously ordered online. Wholesalers and distributors serving those counters face a wider physical assortment without published volumes to plan against.

Retail buyers comparing shelf space with VELO see a higher per-can price and a smaller pouch count for Nordic Spirit. Buyers outside Japan are unaffected; the announcement covers domestic Japanese distribution only.

Plant-fibre pouches sit in JT’s Modern Oral category

JT classes Nordic Spirit as Modern Oral, a white pouch built on plant-derived fibre rather than tobacco leaf, with nicotine sourced from tobacco. That differs in construction from Traditional Oral products, which use tobacco leaf as the main filling material.

The pouches are placed in the mouth. JT splits stimulation into Medium, Strong and X-Strong grades.

Sales and share remain undisclosed

No shipment, revenue or share figures for Nordic Spirit in Japan have been released, so the November change can be tracked only as range and channel expansion. JT’s next disclosed step, if any, would be further flavour or retail additions.

Questions readers ask

How many Nordic Spirit products does JT sell in Japan?

JT has announced eight products for the Japanese market as of 2 November 2026. The count reflects products announced, not the assortment carried by any single store.

How much nicotine is in Nordic Spirit Rich Melon Medium?

JT has not disclosed milligrams of nicotine per pouch. The Medium, Strong and X-Strong labels describe stimulation grades and cannot be used to calculate nicotine intake.

Where can Japanese shoppers buy the three mint variants?

Sweet Mint Medium, Sweet Mint Strong and Cool Mint X-Strong were sold through the CLUB JT online shop from 6 October 2026 and, from 2 November, also at some tobacco retailers nationwide, according to JT.