Beer sales in Japan fell by 9.2% in October, compared to the same period last year, to 36.86m cases, according to recent figures.

The figure, which includes sales of happoshu, represents the third consecutive month of decline.

Sales of beer alone fell by 6.9% to 22.16m cases, while sales of happoshu fell by 12.3% to 14.7m cases. Happoshu accounts for 39.9% of total sales.

In the period January to October, beer sales dropped by 2.5% year-on-year, while happoshu fell by 8.8% in the same period.

The figures published in the Japanese press come from a survey of Kirin Breweries, Suntory Breweries, Asahi Breweries, Sapporo Breweries and Orion Beer.