Japanese researchers find rare can of Coke, chewing gum frozen in Antarctica for half century
April 17, 2021 (Mainichi Japan)
This photo taken at the National Institute of Polar Research in Tachikawa, Tokyo, on April 15, 2021, shows a can of Coca-Cola that was found in Antarctica. (Mainichi/Yui Shuzo)
TOKYO -- Japanese researchers stumbled upon a rare can of Coke and packs of chewing gum that had been frozen in Antarctica for more than 50 years, and have brought the items back to Japan.
The Japanese Antarctic Research Expedition's wintering team discovered the can of Coca-Cola and Lotte Co.'s Cool Mint Chewing Gum in September 2020. The items were taken to Antarctica by an expedition team more than half a century ago, and their rare package designs do not exist anymore. A ceremony to give the goods back to each manufacturer was held at the National Institute of Polar Research in the city of Tachikawa in Tokyo on April 15, and participants celebrated the return of the products.