Comment – Kirin: aiming to go west again

Kirin is not having an easy ride in Japan, its domestic market. Sales in the country are declining whereas Asia as a whole continues to grow rapidly. Having been overtaken by archrival Asahi on the home front it is China that now holds most promise. Kirin Brewery, Japan's second largest beer producer, is looking westward for growth opportunities as the Japanese market becomes increasingly difficult to compete in. Despite revising its group net profits forecast upwards to Y10 billion, its shares remain close to its 16 year all-time low.