Japan's beer brewers raided over claims they colluded to hike prices

In short:

Asahi, Kirin, Sapporo and Suntory breweries have been raided in Japan.

The four beer giants make up around 90 per cent of Japan's beer market share — and are popular brands in Australia too.

What's next?

Japan's Fair Trade Commission is investigating whether the beer brewers colluded to raise their prices over several years.

Japanese authorities have raided four global beer manufacturers over suspicions they colluded to raise their prices.

Asahi Breweries, Kirin Brewery, Sapporo Breweries and Suntory have confirmed the raids on Wednesday.

The four beer giants make up around 90 per cent of Japan's beer market share — and are popular brands in Australia too.

Sales of Asahi's Super Dry variety in Australia have increased 40 per cent in Australia since 2020, according to the company.

Japan's public broadcaster NHK said the Fair Trade Commission was investigating whether the companies had formed a cartel and colluded to raise their prices at the same time over several years, together citing factors including rising raw material costs.

The anti-trust watchdog is expected to continue its investigation and could file a criminal complaint if they were found to have breached the country's anti-monopoly laws.

In statements, the four beer makers separately said they intended to cooperate with ⁠the investigation.

Suntory said in a statement that it was "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".

Asahi beer in Australia is manufactured locally with the beer brewer telling the ABC earlier this year it employed almost 4,000 Australians across 17 manufacturing sites.

Kirin Ichiban and Sapporo are also manufactured in Australia, with Japanese beer only representing about 4 per cent of beer imports into Australia.

The ABC has contacted Asahi, Kirin and Sapporo for a response about whether Australian production of the beer has been impacted.

Shares of the beer makers fell nearly 4 per cent following news of the raids.

Earlier this year, in the midst of a heatwave, six major Japanese ice cream companies were similarly raided over suspicion of colluding to hike their prices.

If the companies are found to have have violated anti-monopoly laws, the country's anti-trust watchdog will issue a fine and order the companies improve their business practices.