Who Was Raided and Why It Matters
These four firms dominate Japan's beer market, and their products are a familiar sight in supermarkets and convenience stores across the country. All of them said they would fully cooperate with the regulator.
The news hit the stock market quickly. Asahi, Kirin and Sapporo all saw their share prices fall on Wednesday after word of the investigation spread. Suntory's beer business is not publicly listed, so it wasn't affected in the same way.
JFTC Secretary General Iwanari Hiroo didn't deny that an investigation was under way. He said, however, that he would not comment on the details because a preliminary review is still in progress.
The probe reportedly centres on price rises made in April last year and in October 2022. All four companies announced increases at those times, pointing to higher raw material costs as well as other pressures such as energy and transportation.
What the Companies Are Saying
Kirin Holdings said its subsidiary, Kirin Brewery Company, was searched on suspicion of violating the Antimonopoly Act. The company said it takes the matter "very seriously" and will cooperate fully with the investigation and any requests for help. It also noted that the impact on its financial results has not yet been determined, and promised to disclose any material developments promptly.
A Suntory spokesperson confirmed that an on-site inspection took place in connection with a potential violation of the Antimonopoly Act relating to domestic alcohol trade practices. The company apologised for any concern or inconvenience caused to customers, business partners and other stakeholders, and said it would cooperate fully.
Asahi said it is subject to an investigation by the JFTC and will work fully with the regulator.
This isn't the first case of its kind. In June, the same regulator investigated alleged cartel activity among some of Japan's biggest ice cream makers, including Meiji and Pocky maker Ezaki Glico.
