just the Round-Up - The week in drinks

The top ten stories published on just-drinks last week:

• JAPAN: Coca-Cola Co's Tokyo bottlers to merge

The Coca-Cola Co has said four of its Tokyo bottlers are to join forces, with the new company making up about half of its total volumes in Japan.

• GLOBAL: SPI switches Middle East, Africa and India director

SPI Group has appointed a new director of Middle East, Africa and India tasked with developing the company's core Israel and Lebanon markets.

• FRANCE: Rémy Cointreau move hints at CEO succession plan - analyst

Rémy Cointreau's appointment of CFO Frédéric Pflanz to take on the new additional role of COO suggests he is line to take over from CEO Jean-Marie Laborde, according to an analyst.

• LUXEMBOURG: Stock Spirits acquires Imperator

Stock Spirits Group has announced the aquisition of Slovak spirits company Imperator and ethanol manufacturing business Novel Ferm, both for undisclosed sums.

• US: Sweetener rejig won't change Diet Pepsi flavour - PepsiCo

PepsiCo has said a sweetener change for its Diet Pepsi brand won't affect its flavour.

• JAPAN: Suntory confirms shake-up, plans "aggressive" M&A

Suntory Holdings has confirmed plans for a major shake-up, including a raft of new executive appointments and a more “aggressive” M&A strategy.

• US: Small companies have forced us to innovate - Brown-Forman CEO

Brown-Forman's CEO has admitted the company has been forced to innovate as the pool of available acquisitions has shrunk and smaller brands have taken market share.

• AUSTRALIA: Trade body defends energy drinks, alcohol mix

The Australian Beverages Council (ABC) has moved to prempt a state government investigation into the effects of mixing energy drinks and alcohol.

• FRANCE: Rémy Cointreau agrees Larsen Cognac acquisition

Rémy Cointreau has signed an agreement to buy Larsen Cognac for an undisclosed sum.

• NETHERLANDS: Heineken, Bavaria "disappointed" after ECJ rejects cartel fine appeal

Heineken and Bavaria have said they are “disappointed” after Europe's highest court rejected their appeals against a reduction in fines for their part in a cartel.