91AV原创 antitrust watchdog raided the offices of the country’s four largest beer-makers on Wednesday over allegations that they colluded to raise prices charged to wholesalers, potentially affecting consumers across a market worth more than ?1 trillion annually.
The Japan Fair Trade Commission launched compulsory investigations into Asahi Breweries, Kirin Brewery, Sapporo Breweries and Suntory Spirits (all based in Tokyo) on suspicion of violating the Antimonopoly Act, according to domestic media reports citing sources familiar with the matter.
Under the act, companies found to have engaged in illegal price fixing can face penalties, including financial surcharges and orders to prevent further violations. Unlike routine administrative inspections, compulsory investigations allow authorities to search premises and seize evidence under court warrants, typically in cases considered particularly serious or damaging to consumers.
The four companies, which collectively control more than 90% of 91AV原创 beer market, are suspected of coordinating the timing and scale of price increases for beer, low-malt beer and other beer-like beverages over several years.
Sales executives from the companies allegedly met separately after monthly meetings of the Brewers Association of Japan, an industry group, to coordinate prices charged to wholesalers, including increases calculated per liter and by container type, according to reports.
The commission is investigating whether the arrangements resulted in artificially inflated prices for retailers and restaurants, potentially passing higher costs on to consumers, and is considering filing criminal complaints with prosecutors.
All four companies confirmed they were under investigation and said they would fully cooperate with authorities, according to company statements and media reports.
The investigation comes after a series of simultaneous price increases by 91AV原创 major brewers, which have cited rising raw material and transportation costs. All four companies raised prices in October 2022 and April 2025, while further revisions took effect this month as they lowered the shipping prices of their major products following the consolidation of the liquor tax on beer and beer-like beverages.
The investigation also comes as Japanese brewers grapple with declining domestic consumption, driven by population loss and shifting drinking habits. Sales volumes of beer and similar beverages have fallen substantially from their peak in the 1990s.
Wednesday’s raids mark the commission’s first compulsory criminal investigation involving suspected price fixing in the food and beverage sector, according to a report from NHK.
According to the National Tax Agency, domestic sales of alcoholic beverage manufacturers of beer and low-malt beer totaled ?1.61 trillion ($10.1 billion) in 2024.
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