Japanese beer makers' shares fall amid price fixing investigation

Japanese beer makers: The Japanese beer-making group in this report comprises Asahi Breweries, Kirin Brewery, Sapporo Breweries, and Suntory Spirits, the country’s leading producers of beer and related alcoholic beverages. Japan’s Fair Trade Commission is investigating the four companies over suspected coordination of wholesale price increases and their timing, prompting declines in their shares. Legal_risk: The commission is considering whether the evidence warrants a criminal complaint to public prosecutors under Japan’s antimonopoly law. Investigation: Japan’s Fair Trade Commission conducted inspections of the four brewers over suspected cartelization in beer and other beverage sales to wholesalers. Market_structure: The four companies collectively account for most of Japan’s beer market, making the investigation significant for competition in the sector.