TOKYO – Japanese authorities raided four major beer manufacturers on Oct. 7 over suspicions the companies colluded to raise beverage prices in violation of anti-monopoly laws. The Japan Fair Trade Commission conducted on-site inspections at Asahi Breweries, Kirin Brewery, Sapporo Breweries, and Suntory.
The four companies control approximately 90 percent of Japan's beer market. The JFTC said this marks its first on-site investigation specifically into allegations of a wholesale beer pricing cartel.
Investigators believe the alleged price-fixing occurred over the past few years. Representatives from the breweries are suspected of meeting periodically to discuss pricing strategies and the timing of price increases.
In recent years, the firms have raised beer prices on multiple occasions. The companies attributed the increases to rising raw material and logistics costs.
All four companies confirmed they are under investigation and pledged to cooperate fully with the JFTC's inquiry. Suntory said it is "undergoing an on-site inspection by the Fair Trade Commission on suspicion of breaching the anti-monopoly act in relation to its alcohol trading activities."
The raid follows a similar JFTC investigation initiated in June against six major ice cream manufacturers over allegations of coordinated price hikes beyond what rising ingredient costs would justify.
