Japanese beer giants Asahi, Kirin and Sapporo have been searched by the Japan Fair Trade Commission (JFTC).
The raids were announced on Wednesday after the JFTC began a formal investigation into possible collusion that could have inflated beer prices in 2022 and 2025. Sapporo and Suntory were also said to have been targeted.
Both Asahi and Kirin confirmed the raids and pledged full cooperation. “We take this matter very seriously and will cooperate fully with the JFTC,” said a spokesperson for Kirin Breweries.
The companies explained that their price increases were driven by higher raw‑material, energy and transportation costs rather than deliberate price‑setting.
The announcement has already dented market confidence: shares of Asahi, Kirin and Sapporo fell sharply after the news, while Suntory, which is not publicly listed, has yet to comment.
The JFTC’s probe is still in its early stages and no formal findings have been released. The commission has not yet responded to requests for comment.
