Japan's Fair Trade Commission raided the offices of four major breweries this week over suspicions they colluded to set beverage prices in violation of anti-monopoly law.
Asahi Breweries, Kirin Brewery, Suntory Beer and Sapporo Breweries faced the searches. The four companies together control more than 90% of Japan's domestic beer market. Media reports indicate the alleged price-fixing may have forced consumers to pay inflated prices for beer and other beverages.
The Fair Trade Commission did not disclose additional details about the investigation in the supplied material.