Japan: Japanese brewers increasingly making acquisitions abroad

Asahi Group Holdings' latest deal is part of a trend in which major Japanese brewers are increasingly making acquisitions abroad as demand at home ebbs amid a graying population, Nikkei Asian Review reported on April 19.

Asahi previously focused its offshore strategy on Asia, including a business tie-up with China's Tsingtao Brewery. Now Asahi is looking to expand its global footprint, starting with this week's agreement to purchase three premium European beer brands.

Suntory Holdings revealed plans to become a global distributor of whisky, bourbon and other spirits when it acquired U.S.-based distiller Beam in 2014. It is diverting resources to that strategy partly by unwinding a capital tie-up with Tsingtao.

Kirin Holdings is restructuring its Brazilian operations, the center of its overseas strategy, after the business incurred a massive impairment loss. Last year, Kirin purchased a stake in Myanmar Brewery for $560 million, paving the way for brands like its Ichiban beer to flow into the Southeast Asian country's growing market.

The Japanese brewers' overseas strategies are taking shape as they prepare to compete with industry giants on the global stage.

19 April, 2016