Heublein entered into a venture with Mitsubishi.

Effective June 1, Mitsubishi Corp. will acquire a minority interest in Heublein’s Japanese subsidiary. The restructured company will be responsible for importing and marketing Smirnoff vodka, Inglenook wines, Wild Turkey bourbon and Grand Marnier liqueur, among others. “Japan is one of the world’s largest spirits markets,” said John A. Powers, president and chief executive at Farmington, Conn.-based Heublein, adding that there is a strong demand for lower-proof products such as Heublein’s Club brand of prepared cocktails.