Japanese regulators have launched an investigation into the country’s four largest breweries—Asahi, Kirin, Suntory, and Sapporo—after conducting raids on their offices. Authorities suspect the companies may have colluded to fix prices on beer and other drinks, potentially driving up costs for consumers. The firms collectively dominate over 90% of Japan’s beer market, raising concerns about anti-monopoly law violations. The Fair Trade Commission is now examining whether the breweries engaged in illegal coordination to control pricing.
Investigators probe Asahi, Kirin, Suntory and Sapporo breweries – which together control more than 90% of Japan’s beer marketJapanese authorities have raided the country’s four biggest breweries over suspicions they colluded to set the price of beer and other beverages – a practice media reports said could have forced drinkers to pay over the odds.Officials from the Fair Trade Commission this week searched the offices of Asahi Breweries, Kirin Brewery, Suntory Beer and Sapporo Breweries – which together control more than 90% of the domestic market. The quartet are suspected of violating the anti-monopoly law. Continue reading...
