Japanese authorities have raided the premises of the country’s biggest beer producers – including Asahi, Kirin, Sapporo and Suntory – over allegations they collaborated to raise the price of their drinks.
The Japan Fair Trade Commission confirmed searches and said it would fully cooperate with the investigation. Asahi and Kirin praised their cooperation, while Sapporo and Suntory have yet to respond.
Shares of Asahi, Kirin and Sapporo fell after the news, and investors are watching for further disclosures. The probes focus on price hikes announced in April last year and October 2022, which the companies claim were driven by raw‑material, energy, and transport costs.
Kirin’s brewery unit was searched “on suspicion of violating the Antimonopoly Act”, and the firm said it would keep stakeholders updated. Asahi said it was under “investigation by the Japan Fair Trade Commission regarding a suspected violation of the Act on Prohibition of Private Monopolization and Maintenance of Fair Trade.”
The dept. awaiting comments on the outcomes of the raids while the companies await any regulatory or financial impact.
