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Japan Antitrust Regulator Probes Four Major Brewers

By  |  October 7, 2026
Japan Antitrust Regulator Probes Four Major Brewers

Japan’s competition watchdog is investigating the country’s four major beer producers over suspected breaches of antimonopoly rules, according to a report by The Wall Street Journal.

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    Asahi Group Holdings, Kirin Holdings, Suntory Holdings and Sapporo Breweries are subjects of the Japan Fair Trade Commission investigation, the Journal reported Wednesday.

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    The four companies separately said they intend to cooperate fully with the regulator’s inquiry, according to the Journal.

    The investigation places some of Japan’s best-known beverage companies under regulatory scrutiny. The Journal identified Asahi Breweries, Kirin Brewery, Suntory Spirits and Sapporo Breweries as the businesses involved in the probe.

    The Journal’s report did not provide further details about the suspected conduct or indicate what penalties, if any, could result from the investigation.

    The inquiry is being conducted by the Japan Fair Trade Commission, the country’s antitrust regulator.

    Source: The Wall Street Journal