Kirin fell to a new year-to-date low of Y833 at one point, down some Y30 from Tuesday. Asahi shares fell to a low of Y994, down Y13, and Sapporo slid by Y6 to Y315. One analyst described the current happoshu price war as a “war of attrition”.
JAPAN: Price war impacts on brewers’ shares
Share prices in Japan's major brewers, Kirin, Asahi and Sapporo, have been sliding as investors show concern about the intensifying price war over happoshu, the low-malt beverage which retails for lower prices than standard beer.