Japan beer giants raided over suspicions they colluded to set the price of beverages
Investigators probe Asahi, Kirin, Suntory and Sapporo breweries – which together control more than 90% of Japan’s beer market
TL;DR
- Japan's four largest breweries, controlling over 90% of the domestic market, were raided by the Fair Trade Commission.
- The companies are suspected of colluding to set prices for beer and other beverages, violating anti-monopoly laws.
- Executives are believed to have met secretly to coordinate retail price increases.
- This alleged price-fixing could have led consumers to pay inflated prices.
- The investigation could result in criminal complaints, marking a significant probe into the food and beverage industry.
- Similar cartel allegations led to a raid on Japanese ice-cream makers three months prior.