Japan's beer majors raided over cartel allegations | NHK WORLD

Japan's beer majors raided over cartel allegations

Four major Japanese beer makers have been raided by the Japan Fair Trade Commission on allegations of violating the country's antimonopoly law.

They are suspected of forming a cartel to coordinate beer price increases.

Asahi Breweries, Kirin Brewery, Sapporo Breweries and Suntory Spirits are all Tokyo-based companies, with over a 90-percent share in the domestic beer market.

Sources say they are suspected of conspiring to decide when and how much to raise beer prices when shipping to wholesalers.

They raised prices in October 2022 and April 2025, citing soaring raw material costs. The timing of the announcements coincided closely.

All four firms are members of the Brewers Association of Japan. Sources say the association holds monthly meetings, and section-chief-level officials allegedly met behind the scenes to coordinate prices. Beer-like drinks were included in the discussions.

Each company has said it will fully cooperate with the investigation.

JFTC Secretary General Iwanari Hiroo commented on the case.

He said: "I do not deny that an investigation is being conducted today, but I'd like to refrain from commenting on the details as a preliminary review is underway. Our first priority is to establish the facts of the case."

Iwanari said each business operator should independently set prices based on its own strategy, as pricing is an important means of competition.

He added he hopes each industry will take precautionary measures to prevent such cases.

The JFTC has indicated its policy to strongly deal with cartels that take advantage of a wave of price hikes.

The commission apparently takes the case seriously as beer is a product closely related to daily life, and the cartel was allegedly formed by companies with an overwhelming share in the market.

Criminal complaints with prosecutors are a possibility.

Japanese retailers and consumers are feeling anger, and hoping that prices will be set appropriately.

Supermarket Celsior Wadamachi in Yokohama near Tokyo carries beer from all four companies. A buyer for the store, Kubota Koji said, "It is strange that the prices of products from different makers are all the same."

He added, "A cartel goes against free competition, and that is something that should be corrected. As a store worker, I feel incensed about this."

Consumers also expressed their dismay.

One female customer said, "I feel quite disappointed that prices are decided secretly."

Another consumer said he expects beer makers to provide products that are both satisfying and come with reasonable price tags.