Coffee Off: Who is the Best Western Coffee Spokesman?

Japanese coffee may seem like a dull subject to the average person in the West. It most certainly is dull and no more interesting than coffee anywhere else. What is interesting is who the Japanese coffee companies hire to be the face of their coffee. The answers may surprise you.

For as long as I can remember, the sad face of Tommy Lee Jones has followed me around Japan. Every place I go, there he is. Staring at me from another coffee machine on some street corner. Trying to get me to buy his Boss Coffee, or even occasionally some hot corn soup. This is life as a Japanese coffee celebrity. Jones isn’t the only one to lend their face to the hip world of coffee. You’d be surprised at who else has shown up over the years.

Tommy Lee Jones in his new commercial.

But then again there is Brad Pitt.

But who can forget Meg Ryan.

Or Jodie Foster. Loving her coffee.

So all you young, Western celebrities out there. Take note. There is a fortune to be made in Japan. As long as you like coffee.