TOKYO, Oct. 7 (Xinhua) -- Japan's Fair Trade Commission on Wednesday searched the offices of the country's four major brewers on suspicion of violating the antimonopoly law by forming a cartel to raise the prices of beer and beer-like drinks, local media reported.
All the four beer makers -- Asahi Breweries Ltd., Kirin Brewery Co., Sapporo Breweries Ltd., and Suntory Spirits Ltd. -- separately confirmed the raids and said they intend to cooperate with the probe, Kyodo News reported.
The companies, which hold large shares of the market, are suspected of coordinating on the timing and size of price increases for beer and beer-like drinks over several years by having sales representatives meet to exchange information, the report said.
Those companies' representatives are believed to have held secret meetings to discuss price increases after they attended regular gatherings held about once a month by the Brewers Association of Japan, it added.
The antitrust watchdog is expected to continue its investigation and may consider filing a criminal complaint with prosecutors.
The four brewers consecutively raised prices of beer and beer-like drinks in October 2022, October 2023, and April 2025, citing rising costs for raw materials and energy. ■
