Tokyo-based brewing giants controlling over 90 percent of Japan’s domestic market face potential criminal prosecution after the Japan’s Fair Trade Commission launched compulsory criminal raids on October 7, 2026, targeting Asahi, Kirin, Sapporo, and Suntory over allegations that they operated a multi-year wholesale price-fixing cartel.
Antitrust Authorities Raid Tokyo Breweries
Japanese antitrust authorities descended upon the Tokyo headquarters and other facilities of the country’s dominant beer manufacturers on October 7, 2026. The Japan Fair Trade Commission executed simultaneous on-site inspections backed by court-issued warrants, entering the offices of Asahi Breweries, Kirin Brewery, Sapporo Breweries, and Suntory Spirits. These compulsory investigations grant officials the legal authority to search premises and seize evidence for potential criminal prosecution.
Following news of the raids, share prices dropped across the publicly traded firms. Sapporo stock fell as much as 3.73 percent in Tokyo, Kirin shed a little over 3 percent to hit its lowest level in more than three months, and Asahi dropped nearly 2.5 percent. Suntory is unlisted.
Section Managers Alleged to Fix Beer Prices
Investigators suspect that section-manager-level personnel from the brewers conspired to coordinate the timing and scale of price increases for beer, low-malt happoshu, and third-category beer drinks over several years. Representatives allegedly gathered in separate backroom sessions following regular meetings held by the Brewers Association of Japan. Orion Breweries, a regionally based association member headquartered in Okinawa Prefecture, did not participate in the discussions.
National Tax Agency figures cited by the Japan Times put the combined domestic market for beer and low-malt beer at ¥1.61 trillion ($10.1 billion) in 2024. Total alcohol sales reached ¥3.843 trillion in 2024, with traditional beer accounting for ¥1.153 trillion and happoshu and third-category drinks making up ¥457.8 billion. The alleged collusion centers on price increases implemented in October 2022 and April 2025.
Brewers Pledge Cooperation Amid Antitrust Enforcement
All four major brewers acknowledged the regulatory inspections and pledged full cooperation. Kirin Holdings confirmed its subsidiary was searched on suspicion of violating the Antimonopoly Act, noting that the financial impact has not yet been determined. Suntory issued a statement apologizing for concern caused to customers and business partners while confirming an inspection into domestic alcohol trade practices.
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 Hiroo, JFTC Secretary General
Retail workers and consumers expressed dismay over the revelations, pointing out that uniform pricing across competing brands strips away meaningful market choice. The action represents a continuation of aggressive antitrust enforcement by the commission, which also conducted raids in June against six Japanese ice-cream makers, including Morinaga Milk Industry and Meiji Holdings, over similar price-fixing allegations.
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.