Japanese beer and spirits group, Suntory, intends to increase domestic beer sales by 6% to 61m cases in the fiscal year to the end of December. But the company also anticipates that the tax increase on low-malt "happoshu" brands will slow down growth in that segment.

In spite of the negative effects of the tax hike, Suntory said that the strength of its "Super Magnum Dry" and "Diet" low-malt beer brands would allow it to achieve the forecast sales growth.

09 January, 2003