Japan’s brewing industry has been rocked by an investigation into price-fixing. Antitrust investigators raided the Tokyo offices of Asahi, Kirin, Sapporo and Suntory Spirits breweries on Wednesday. Japan Times reports. The four companies are the nation’s largest brewers, accounting for more than 90 percent of an industry worth more than $10 billion a year. Authorities are investigating whether the companies coordinated the price hikes in October 2022 and April 2025. Sales managers from the companies reportedly met separately to discuss the price increases after monthly meetings of the Brewers Association of Japan trade group.
Brewers had blamed the higher costs of ingredients, energy and transportation for the price rise, but Japan’s Fair Trade Commission is currently investigating possible violations of the country’s anti-monopoly law, the BBC reports. Investigators are focusing on whether coordinated price hikes led to artificially inflated prices that retailers and restaurants passed on to customers. Times reports. Shares of Asahi, Kirin and Sapporo fell after news of the raids; Suntory is a private company. All companies say they are cooperating, with Kirin and Suntory issuing public apologies and pledging transparency.
Gn bussni
