Australian subsidiaries deny involvement after Japanese beer giants raided over price-fixing allegations
Australian subsidiaries of four Japanese beer giants raided over suspicions of price-hike collusion have denied local customers were impacted by the alleged illegal cost increases.
Japan’s largest beer makers – Asahi, Sapporo, Kirin and Suntory Spirits – are being investigated by the Japan Fair Trade Commission (JFTC) over claims they worked together in a cartel to raise prices.
Asahi is the parent company of Carlton & United Breweries (CUB) in Australia. Asahi Beverages
It is illegal under Japan’s Antimonopoly Act (AMA) to engage in price-fixing.
All four beer brands sell in Australia.
There is no suggestion the Australian subsidiaries have violated anti-monopoly law.
Asahi is the parent company of Australia’s Carlton & United Breweries (CUB), which brews and distributes several popular beer brands here, including Victoria Bitter, Great Northern, Balter, Peroni, Mountain Goat and Corona.
An Asahi Australia spokesperson told nine.com.au the investigation concerns Asahi Breweries in Japan “and is entirely unrelated to Australian operations”.
Japanese-owned Asahi Breweries confirmed it is subject to investigation by JFTC regarding a suspected violation of the Act on Prohibition of Private Monopolisation and Maintenance of Fair Trade.
“We will fully cooperate with the commission,” a spokesperson said.
Kirin-owned beer giant Lion also said the investigation is not an Australian matter.
Lion has a wide portfolio of Australian beer brands, including XXXX, Hahn, Furphy, Little Creatures, Stone & Wood, and James Squire.
In a statement, Kirin Brewery Company confirmed its premises were subject to a search by the JFTC.
Kirin, the parent company of Lion, was also raided as part of the investigation. @kirinbrewery_en_official
“The company takes very seriously the fact that its subsidiary was subject to the search and will fully cooperate with the Japan Fair Trade Commission’s investigation and any requests for cooperation,” a spokesperson said.
“At present, the impact of this matter on the Company’s financial results has not been determined. The company will promptly disclose any material developments as they arise.”
Sapporo beer is also brewed and sold in Australia under licence by Coopers Brewery.
A spokesperson told nine.com.au that Coopers Brewery is not associated with the allegations.
Sapporo beer is also brewed and sold in Australia by Coopers Brewery. Tomohiro Ohsumi
“Coopers has an agreement with Sapporo Breweries to brew and distribute beersunder licence in Australia and New Zealand,” the spokesperson said.
“Our distribution is solely within these markets and Coopers has no involvement in international pricing.”
Suntory beer products are available in some restaurants, bars and retailers in Australia.
The beer is brewed in Japan and imported to Australia.
Nine.com.au has contacted Suntory’s wholesale importer, JFC Australia, for comment.
The JFTC is investigating whether the four Japanese companies formed a price cartel and colluded to raise prices together over several years.
The investigation focuses on price hikes announced in October 2022 and April 2025, the Japan Times reports.
JFTC Secretary General Iwanari Hiroo confirmed to the media that an investigation is under way but said he could not comment further as a “preliminary review” takes place.
Suntory is brewed in Japan and is distributed to Australian retailers and venues. Suntory
All four beer makers raised prices at these times, blaming the rising cost of material, energy and labour.
Asahi, Kirin, Suntory and Sapporo control 90 per cent of Japan’s domestic beer market.
Australian brewers have hiked the price of tap beer in recent months as the industry battles surging costs.
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