TOKYO — Japan’s premier brewing companies have become the targets of an antitrust investigation, following coordinated government inspections over suspected price-fixing practices.

Representatives for industry heavyweights Asahi and Kirin acknowledged that their corporate offices were visited by inspectors from the Japan Fair Trade Commission. Media reports indicate that two other major domestic beverage producers, Sapporo Breweries and Suntory Spirits, were also targeted in the sweep, though representatives for those firms were not immediately available to provide formal statements.

Financial markets reacted swiftly to the developments on Wednesday, with the share prices of Asahi, Kirin, and Sapporo all experiencing declines following the disclosure of the government inquiry. Suntory, as a privately held enterprise, is not listed on public exchanges.

The regulatory scrutiny focuses on coordinated price adjustments enacted by the brewers across two separate periods, specifically in October 2022 and April of last year. At the time those adjustments were announced, the companies attributed the upward price shifts to escalating expenses associated with raw materials, energy consumption, and logistical operations.

Executives at Kirin Holdings stated that investigators inspected its primary brewing subsidiary regarding potential infractions under the nation's Antimonopoly Act. Management at the company emphasized that the situation is being treated with the utmost seriousness, pledging complete compliance with the regulatory body throughout the proceedings. Officials added that it remains too early to gauge the potential financial ramifications for the firm, promising timely disclosures should material updates develop.

Similarly, leadership at Asahi Breweries confirmed that officials from the fair trade watchdog examined its operations concerning potential breaches of laws governing fair trade and the prevention of private monopolization. The company reiterated its commitment to transparent collaboration with the government inquiry as it moves forward.

The Japan Fair Trade Commission has not yet issued a detailed public statement regarding the ongoing inspections. The inquiry highlights increasing regulatory attention toward corporate pricing strategies amidst broader inflationary pressures affecting consumer markets globally.

Reporting based on coverage first published by BBC News. Read the original report at BBC News.