Japanese authorities have raided the country's four largest breweries—Asahi, Kirin, Suntory, and Sapporo—over suspicions of collusion to set the prices of beer and other beverages. This investigation could have forced consumers to pay inflated prices for their drinks.
Investigation Details
Officials from the Fair Trade Commission conducted searches at the offices of these breweries, which together control over 90% of Japan's beer market. The companies are suspected of violating the country's anti-monopoly law. Hiroo Iwanari, the commission's secretary general, confirmed that an investigation has commenced but did not provide further details.
The commission's inquiry is believed to have been prompted by concerns regarding the potential impact of the alleged cartel on prices after wholesalers distribute their products to supermarkets, convenience stores, bars, and restaurants. According to the Mainichi Shimbun, sources indicated that sales managers and executives from the breweries may have secretly coordinated on the timing and scale of retail price increases, which varied from several yen to several dozen yen at a time.
