The device known as shoyu-tai (or soy-sauce snapper in Japanese) was invented in 1954 by Teruo Watanabe, the founder of Osaka-based company Asahi Sogyo, according to a report from Japan’s Radio Kansai.

It was then common for glass and ceramic containers to be used but the advent of cheap industrial plastics allowed the creation of a small polyethylene container in the shape of a fish, officially named the “Lunch Charm”.

The invention quickly spread around Japan and eventually worldwide, and it is estimated that billions have been produced.

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[–] 17 points 1 year ago (1 child)

Yeah but as another person from the American Midwest, the article seems to indicate south Australia is moving to the packets we have as they're larger and use less plastic, though the goal is for bulk soy sauce in refillable containers

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