Japan antitrust raids on four beer giants over suspected wholesale price collusion

Japan's Fair Trade Commission raided Asahi, Kirin, Sapporo, and Suntory—controlling ~90% of the beer market—on suspicion of colluding on wholesale prices and timing of increases in recent years. This is the first such raid on these groups, marking a significant antitrust enforcement action. The outcome could reshape pricing dynamics in Japan's concentrated beer market, with potential fines and corrective measures.