Japan: Asahi Breweries sees December beer sales fall by over 20% while three other leading brewers enjoy 2% growth

Asahi Breweries said on January 15 that its sales fell by over 20% in December from a year earlier, as the company was forced to cut shipments following a computer system glitch due to a cyberattack on its parent company in late September, the Japan Times reported.

Meanwhile, the combined sales volume of beer, happōshu quasi-beer and "third-segment" beer-like beverages at the other three major Japanese brewers — Sapporo Breweries, Suntory Spirits and Kirin Brewery — rose by 2% in December, according to an industry estimate.

By volume, Sapporo's sales of such beverages fell by 1%. Suntory's sales increased by 6%. Kirin saw an 8% increase in sales value.

The growth reflected higher demand at home and restaurants during the year-end and New Year holidays, industry officials said.

In 2025, the combined sales volume of three brewers, excluding Asahi, fell by 3% from the previous year, according to an industry estimate.

Sapporo and Suntory saw a 1% decline in sales volume, while Kirin's sales were almost unchanged in value. Asahi did not disclose its cumulative results for 2025.

15 January, 2026